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Gaping sinkhole closes road in Battle Creek

WMUK | By Michael Symonds
Published April 25, 2025 at 11:27 AM EDT
4 men in chartreuse vests stand in front of a large hole in a street filled with dirty green water and bits of road. A closed road sign stands behind three of the men, two other workers can be seen in the background, along with three white utility trucks.
Courtesy Photo
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City of Battle Creek
In a press release, city officials said the collapse occurred around 1 am, while city workers were wrapping up sewer repair.

The collapse has closed a portion of Riverside Drive, from Columbia Avenue to Territorial Road East.

Part of Riverside Drive in Battle Creek collapsed last night. A 25-by-20-foot sinkhole has closed a section of the road south of downtown.

The sinkhole as seen on Riverside Drive in Battle Creek
Courtesy Photo
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City of Battle Creek
The sinkhole as seen on Riverside Drive in Battle Creek

No injuries were reported, though one car was damaged.

A map highlights Riverside Drive in red, telling the reader that a portion of the road will be closed and traffic will be detoured.
Courtesy Photo
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WMUK
A map of the closed portion of Riverside Drive.

City officials say crews are working to create a bypass for the sewer under the road, with excavators assisting with repairs. They gave no timeline for reopening the road.

Michael Symonds reports for WMUK through the Report for America national service program.
WMUK News
Michael Symonds
Report for America national service program corps member Michael Symonds joined WMUK’s staff in 2023. He covers the “rural meets metro” beat, reporting stories that link seemingly disparate parts of Southwest Michigan.
See stories by Michael Symonds