LEWISTON – Lisbon Street was reopened Sunday evening, following six days of closure, to sighs of relief from commuters and the Lewiston police.
A sinkhole below the surface of the street near Canal Street opened last Monday causing police to reroute traffic. On Monday night, the Water and Sewage Division of the Lewiston Public Works Department excavated the hole, which measured 25 feet deep, they said. The department predicted that repairs would take four or five days. Police rerouted traffic to East Avenue.
For nearly a week the Public Works Department has been working to repair the road. Throughout that time, businesses near the sinkhole on Lisbon Street have suffered, according to business owners.
While repairs were ongoing, there was increased congestion downtown, due to detours and lowered speed limits on Lisbon Street.
Drivers were not the only people affected. Lewiston police found themselves busier, directing the detoured traffic around the sinkhole. Sunday’s reopening will decrease congestion and make commuting easier, they said.
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