By Paul Bean 

On Friday night just before midnight, Burlington Daily News photographer Imani Page was walking downtown when she discovered city workers repairing a 20 ft. long sinkhole on St. Paul Street, near Kerry’s Kwik Stop. The sinkhole was caused by an unplanned emergency water main break.

This is the second Burlington street sinkhole discovered by Page in two months. 

Accidentally. Serendipitously. Anyway – not on purpose.

In an email correspondence with Burlington Public Works, Public Information Manager Robert Goulding told the Burlington Daily News: “In short, there was an unplanned water main break that crews responded to. Typically, the age of a water main or freeze-thaw cycles will lead to deterioration and then a break. In this case, as crews had excavated they found the lateral that fed a nearby hydrant was in such poor condition that they had to add that work to the repair.”

See video of the February 2nd sinkhole.

The city of Burlington has its fair share of infrastructure projects to tackle in 2024. Today, February 5, the City will break ground on “Great Streets Main Street is a generational investment in Burlington’s primary gateway route and is the final of three major downtown projects, including the now-revitalized St. Paul Street and City Hall Park,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. 

The new Great Streets project will include a larger sidewalk, an 8 foot tree belt, a protected bike lane, better storm drains, seating, and flexible space for vendors, art, and events. 

The Mayor adds that this investment into Burlington’s infrastructure is needed. Some components of the water lines and sewer “were installed more than 100 years ago and would be at a high risk for failure without rehabilitation.” 

This high risk of failure is no surprise considering the Burlington Daily News photographed a Main Street sinkhole between Union and North Winooski just two months ago. The culprit was an ancient sewer main constructed of concrete that failed as a result of high water runoff.  

The Great Streets Project is being funded by Tax Increment Financing (TIFS) requiring $30 Million to complete the project. All of the businesses and shops on this street will be accessible to pedestrians, including J Skis and Perrywinkle’s Fine Jewelry during the initial temporary street closure,” the City said. 

To follow the construction updates and road closures: 

-Weekly construction updates will be sent out via email and posted on the project website. Learn more at Greatstreetsbtv.com.

–Parkburlington.com has a refreshed parking map for the public to learn about public and many private parking opportunities.

-Major impacts will be shared via text and email through VT-Alert. Visit burlingtonvt.gov/btv-alerts to sign up. 

-The project’s public involvement coordinator can be reached directly at NBoyle@eivtech.com.