Harrisburg sinkhole repairs could take weeks

(Harrisburg) -- Harrisburg officials now expect it will take several weeks to repair damage from a massive sinkhole that has dozens of residents evacuated.

The city's Department of Public Works says it could be another 30 days before water, sewer and gas lines are replaced in the neighborhood along the 2100 block of North Fourth St. where the sinkhole is causing problems. On Thursday, it partially swallowed a construction backhoe.

The hole opened up Monday morning, and later opened up a bigger hole.

A spokesman for Mayor Linda Thompson says the city must replace the entire water and sewer system lines on the block. The spokesman, Robert Philbin, says new water and sewer lines will not be working for five to six weeks.

Crews hope to install temporary pipes to get residents back in their houses by Thursday.