Public Square sinkhole: Repairs could take until end of March

CLEVELAND -- City officials have now hired Terrace Construction, of Eastlake to search for voids below the roadway on Public Square.

A 30-inch water main under Public Square burst at 5:30 a.m. March 6 at the intersection of Ontario and Superior avenues, almost six hours after police said water was coming up from under the roadway.

The break slightly damaged nearby sewer and gas lines and flooded Public Square with 35 million gallons of water.

Officials blamed the break on cracks caused by freezing and thawing of the aging pipe.

The sinkhole detours won't affect Monday's annual St. Patrick's Day parade or the parade route, as the parade starts at East 18th Street and makes a northerly turn off Superior, one block east of the sinkhole.

The following streets near the sinkhole remain closed until further notice:

Superior Avenue, from East Roadway to West Roadway; Ontario Avenue, from Euclid Avenue to Rockwell Avenue; The city is restricting rush hour parking on St. Clair Avenue, west of West Third Street.

Police will strictly enforce the existing rush hour parking restriction posted on some streets.

Drivers are encouraged to use East 18th Street and East 21st Street to access the Innerbelt.

Some RTA bus routes have been altered because of the collapse.

For updated information on RTA's bus routes, click on the link below or call the RTAnswer line at (216) 621-9500.