Oceanside police officers closed down a road near State Route 76 in the North County due to what they describe as a “very large” sinkhole.
The hole on the side of the road was first reported around 7:30 a.m. by California Highway Patrol.
Work crews surrounded the hole at North River Road near SR-76. It’s located just a few feet from two large drainage pipes.
North River Road was closed from Sleeping Indian to Stallion Road while a backhoe began work to removed the surface of the road and expose the size of the sinkhole.
The Oceanside Water Utilities Department estimates it may take 12 to 16 hours to fix. Approximately 10 customers - mostly residential - were without water.
Crews have dug about 8 feet and they feel pretty close to the pipe now. They believe a water main break or leak is to blame.
Drivers are being rerouted west on SR-76 to College and then to Vandergrift. The road is expected to be closed until noon Thursday.
