Giant Moraga Sinkhole Gets Balloons And Cake For Its First Birthday
MORAGA (CBS/AP) -- A giant Bay Area sinkhole got a balloon, streamers, cake and a hand-lettered sign wishing it a "Happy 1st Birthday."
The sinkhole formed last March at a major intersection in Moraga, which is about 25 miles east of San Francisco.
It's a satirical celebration. But it's been one year to the day since the Moraga sinkhole opened up.
Student Yazmin Miknas said it's the best sinkhole cake ever, but that it's not worth another year.
Resident Doug Pope said, "What we'd really like to see is some actions on that hole over there so the surrounding businesses don't have to continue dealing with financial losses for another year."
The sinkhole has a portion of Rheem Boulevard shut down and Pope says he's lost about 20 percent of his business as a result.
But when it comes to money, the city of Moraga says it's short too.
So it's left to jump through federal hoops for the $3.3 million needed for repairs.
Edric Kwan, Moraga's Director of Public Works said, "The federal process is very lengthy and they do check to make sure all the t's are crossed and i's are dotted in order for us to proceed."
But those throwing the party say their patience, and their sense of humor, is wearing thin.
Ravi Singh of Rheen Valley Automotive said, "What I want to know is if we are going to have to buy another cake next year."
Public Works says the city has almost finished with the paperwork, then Caltrans reviews it and doles out the federal funds. From that date, whenever it may be, the city says it'll take three months to fix.
