South Toledo sinkholes cause headaches

TOLEDO, Ohio — Beginning in late 2024, sinkholes started to appear on Arlington Avenue in south Toledo. Just two feet apart from one another, sinkholes are sitting in front of at least six homes on Arlington between Francis and National avenues. And they’re creating headaches for residents who say they just want to see them fixed. 

The city of Toledo’s Major Roads Construction web page states there is already a reconstruction project scheduled for 2026, where work is supposed to take place on Arlington from South Detroit to Spencer Street. The website says the road, drive aprons, and curbs will be replaced and bump outs for on-street parking will be added. 

While that work isn’t scheduled until next year, long-time residents Melissa Stevens and George LaPointe said they’re tired of waiting. LaPointe said the first sinkhole which appeared outside of his home in September 2024, and he’s still being patient with hopes it’s taken care of soon. 

The city has acknowledged an immediate need for repairs to the sewer. However, the sewer is 45 feet deep and 4 feet wide, and appears to be a complicated repair. 

But complications have gotten worse for Stevens, who said there were three sinkholes which turned into one giant one recently, and caused her more problems. She said there was talk of cutting down the trees near the sinkholes. However, Columbia Gas put at stop to those efforts due to safety. 

“The gas company came in and shut it down. They said that they needed to stabilize my gas line which was understandable. They put the stone in there and now I have no water,” Stevens said. 

The sink hole crushed the water line to her home, putting her without water for nearly 24 hours. She said she called Engage Toledo, and the city responded quickly to her calls for help. The family home currently has a temporary water line.

The city said it’s working to get a permanent fix to the problem within the coming weeks. To fix the sinkholes overall, back in late February, the city got one bid from E.R. Zailer Excavating, Inc. for $21,040,800, but it was rejected. 

Since there, an investigation to find the most efficient way to complete the project was done, and advertising for repair work bids started on April 5, with hopes of getting in several offers by April 22. The goal, according to the city’s website is to land a successful contract and start repairs in May. LaPointe said the work can’t come soon enough. 

“It’s been going on forever, and we just want to get it done. I would like to see my yard and so forth get better. I want it fixed. My house is getting damaged,” LaPointe said. 

“My neighbor’s house is damaged, my other neighbor’s is damaged. I’m just tired of it,” Stevens said. 

Additionally the alleyway between Francis Avenue and National Avenue has been barricaded at National Avenue Crews will be working on the sanitary sewer in the alleyway in the coming weeks. For more information about this closure, click here to be directed to the City of Toledo’s construction website.