Palatine Sinkhole: Work Could Be Done by Oct.14

Residents tired of Hicks Road lane closures might soon have relief: Work should be completed by Oct. 14.

The intersection of Hicks and Dundee roads has been a traffic hassle since a sinkhole formed under southbound lanes of Hicks on July 23. The hole was caused after a sewer line partially collapsed.

"The repairs to the sewer pipe are done," said Sanjay Patel, North Plant manager for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. "We will back fill the hole and restore the road in the next two weeks."

Although Hicks and Dundee is a major intersection for Palatine residents, the work has not been under the jurisdiction of the village. The sewer line is part of the water reclamation district and the road is the jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Transportation.

When the sinkhole first formed, officials believed the work . The latest estimate had .

One reason repairs have taken longer is that the damage to the sewer line was more extensive than first believed. The sewer line is 69 inches in diameter and located about 30 feet underground.

Although it might have appeared at times that nothing was happening at the sight to passing motorists, Patel said that was not the case.

"We have had people out there every day," Patel said. "Sometimes they are pouring material and they have to wait for it to cure. The crew [also] can be in the hole working. It's 30 feet deep."

The sewer line was damaged after Palatine received . The rain caused .

"I know the city is frustrated," Patel said. "We want to get done as soon as possible."