Massive sinkhole in Conshohocken disrupts utilities; most service restored as repairs continue into Friday
A large sinkhole that opened late Wednesday on West 10th Avenue in Conshohocken tore through a water main and damaged underground gas infrastructure, leaving dozens of homes without water and heat. By Thursday night, most service had been restored and crews were preparing to work into early Friday (ET) to finish critical repairs and stabilize the street.
What happened late Wednesday
Crews were dispatched around 10:00 p.m. ET Wednesday after water began pouring down West 10th Avenue. A short time later, the pavement gave way and a sinkhole opened, rapidly growing to span nearly the full width of the roadway. A borough notice placed the initial water-main break at approximately 11:30 p.m. ET.
Residents described a sudden rush of water and a jolt before the ground collapsed. One neighbor said the crater appeared to be at least 12 feet deep. Another described the hazard as big enough that a passing driver might have plunged into it if the area hadn’t been quickly secured.
Utilities and repair status
The break severed a water main and impacted a natural gas line beneath the 300 and 400 blocks of West 10th Avenue, with effects extending to a portion of Colwell Lane. At the height of the disruption, gas service was out for 83 customers and roughly 50 homes were without water. Crews spent much of Thursday in the excavation, repairing the water main and assessing damage to gas equipment.
By late Thursday, water and gas had been restored to a majority of households. All but six gas customers had service back on; those final six are expected to remain without gas until early Friday morning ET. Space heaters were distributed to help those homes stay warm overnight. Water deliveries and a tanker were brought into the neighborhood to assist remaining residents while final repairs continue.
Neighborhood impact and safety measures
Several families sought warmer accommodations Thursday as repairs continued and temperatures dipped. For those who stayed, cases of bottled water were handed out, and crews maintained a presence throughout the day to monitor underground conditions and prevent further ground movement.
Neighbors described smelling gas shortly after the collapse and moved quickly to shut doors and stay inside until crews could secure the area. One resident shared video of water geysering from the ruptured main just moments before her neighbor moved a car from the curb; soon after, the ground gave way. Despite the dramatic scene, there were no reports of injuries, vehicle losses, or explosions.
Road closures and detours
Road closures remain in effect around the 300 and 400 blocks of West 10th Avenue, and the public is being asked to avoid the area. Work to fully identify the bottom of the sinkhole continued through Thursday, with digging advancing toward Colwell Lane. Traffic on Colwell Lane has been a fluid situation; flaggers were on site during the day, and intermittent closures were possible as the excavation expanded.
Local detours have directed drivers on Colwell Lane to use West 6th Avenue or West 11th Avenue to reach downtown, while Brook Road offers an alternate route toward Ridge Pike. Officials cautioned that detours could change as the repair footprint evolves.
Warming center and community support
A warming center was opened at the Community Center at the Fellowship House on Harry Street to provide a place for impacted residents to charge devices, get warm, and coordinate overnight plans while utility crews worked. The facility was scheduled to close at 9:00 p.m. ET Thursday, prompting those still without service to make alternate arrangements for the night.
On the block, neighbors said the response helped blunt the worst of the disruption. Water deliveries and a steady stream of updates offered reassurance as the excavation widened. One resident noted that while the scene was scary, it could have been far worse.
What’s next
Utility teams plan to continue work into early Friday, with the goal of restoring gas to the remaining homes and stabilizing the ground around the repair site. Road closures on West 10th Avenue are expected to remain in place beyond the immediate utility work to allow for backfilling, compaction, and pavement restoration.
Residents were urged to avoid the area, follow detour signage, and check for neighborhood updates as crews determine the full extent of underground damage and complete repairs. Additional information is expected Friday as the site stabilizes and final service restorations are confirmed.
