sinkhole.photo.jpg

A sinkhole awaits repair Saturday in Springfield's South End.

(Jim Kinney / The Republican)

UPDATE - 6:51 p.m.: Workers have now installed those steel plates. So it is patched now..

SPRINGFIELD - A sinkhole swallowed a chunk of pavement on Main Street in the South End on Saturday afternoon, roughly the size of a parking spot.

The sinkhole occurred in front of 1038 Main St., outside the Caring Health Center and near the Red Rose Restaurant.

Traffic was diverted around the sinkhole and there was no visible flooding.

A work crew was preparing to place large metal plates over the sinkhole late Saturday afternoon, pending repairs.

The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission and Police Department responded.