Sinkhole Closes West 7th Street in St. Paul
A sinkhole has forced the closure of a section of West 7th Street in St. Paul, causing traffic disruptions and concern for local residents and businesses. Authorities are assessing the situation, which has raised worries about potential damage to infrastructure and property in the area.
- The sinkhole, which appeared in May 2025, was an unusually deep 35 feet. It was caused by soil erosion above a sanitary sewer tunnel that collapsed deep beneath the street. - The failed sewer tunnel is one of the city's oldest, built in the 1870s or 1880s. Public Works Director Sean Kershaw noted that a sinkhole of this depth is very uncommon in St. Paul. - The road closure on West 7th Street, a major thoroughfare, lasted for four months, fully reopening in September 2025. The closure extended from Kellogg Boulevard to Grand Avenue, impacting businesses near the Xcel Energy Center. - While vehicle traffic was detoured, sidewalks remained open to allow pedestrian access to local businesses throughout the repair period. - Repair crews had to work in a confined space to fix the sewer tunnel, which is only about 6 feet tall and 2.5 to 3 feet wide, located more than 30 feet underground. - The complex repair process involved diverting sewage, removing debris, and reinforcing the historic tunnel's walls and ceiling with about 100 cubic yards of a special concrete called shotcrete. - The total cost of the repairs was estimated to be between $1 million and $2 million. - The city plans to undertake preventative work in 2026 to strengthen connections to the aging sewer tunnel to mitigate the risk of another collapse.
