EVERETT — A sinkhole has shut down access to the Everett Animal Shelter and some public riverfront areas of the city.
The sinkhole caused a three-foot culvert to fail underneath Smith Island Road near 12th
Street NE, public works spokeswoman Marla Carter said.
The hole was about 3 feet wide and 3 feet deep, she said. It was discovered early Tuesday morning. Its cause is unknown.
Crews in the afternoon were waiting for water to drain from the area to dig up the road and replace the pipe. The work was expected to last well into the evening, though officials had their eye on a 6:30 p.m. change of tides.
They are aiming to get some kind of alternative to the main road set up before Wednesday evening. Access was restricted to city employees.
Smith Island Road and Langus Riverfront Park are both across the Snohomish River from the rest of the city. Drivers only can reach them through Highway 529. The boat launch and the popular trail to Spencer Island also are closed.
For now, the animal shelter is relying on a temporary mobile shelter near the road closure to take in strays. For more information on the impact to shelter operations, call 425-257-6000.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.
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