17-foot sinkhole in Holyoke

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - A 17 foot-deep sinkhole emerged in Holyoke on Wednesday morning, right near the route to the St. Patrick's Parade.

A contractor with United Water, which maintains the sewer system in the city, told 22News that a 54-inch sewer pipe broke, causing the sinkhole. The ground was soft due to recent rain.

The area around the sinkhole, located near the corner of Resnic Blvd. and Beech Street, needs to be stabilized before crews can begin work.

The incident comes at an inconvenient time for city workers, as crews are busy making preparations for the weekend’s St. Patrick’s Parade and St. Patrick’s Road Race.

Despite the sinkhole's closeness to the parade route, it is now covered-up, and should not pose any danger to the public.