Sinkhole Shuts I-25 in Denver; 66-in. Water Main Ruptures
A 66-in. water main beneath Interstate 25 in Denver burst on Feb. 7 in the afternoon, creating a sinkhole about three lanes wide and 16 ft deep, shutting down all northbound lanes of the highway.
The cause of the break is still under investigation; however, Denver Water officials said it was likely from a pressure surge in the pipe after a water pump failed. The water built up until the roadway collapsed, creating a sinkhole 40 ft wide by 60 ft long near the 58th Avenue exit ramp in north Denver, according to Stacey Stegman, spokeswoman for the Colorado Dept.of Transportation.