Emergency repairs to the Chatsworth sinkhole are projected just above $4M
Caltrans estimates emergency repair and reconstruction costs to the sinkhole on Iverson Road in Chatsworth to be more than $4 million.
LA Department of Public Works crews worked to stabilize the area just south of the 118 Freeway, after heavy rains Jan. 9 caused the sinkhole.
Currently, crews are working to relocate telephone lines that include copper cables and fiber optic lines, that cross through the sinkhole. New lines will be going in. Caltrans stated that once this work is completed around Jan. 25, they can begin a thorough investigation and study of the sinkhole
Last estimates placed the sinkhole to be around 40 feet deep and growing.
"At this time, Caltrans has no timeline since we do not yet know the extent of the subsurface damage nor how much construction will be required to repair and reconstruct the area. Very roughly speaking, we anticipate it will take a period of weeks or months," as written from the Caltrans Public Information Office.
On Jan.9 during worst of the storm, a mother and her teen daughter were rescued and taken to the hospital after their Nissan, along with a pickup truck, fell inside the sinkhole.
Caltrans reported that two drain pipes, a sewage line and a water pipeline are in the sinkhole, and that the cause of the incident has not yet been officially identified.
"When we have better access we will gain more relevant information," reported Caltrans.
