Charlotte Water crews were expected to continue repair work on Tuesday after a sinkhole and water main break closed part of Selwyn Avenue near Colony Road in south Charlotte on Monday, June 15, 2026.
The road problem was reported around 5 p.m. in the Barclay Downs area, near a shopping center and several busy neighborhood routes. Charlotte police said drivers should avoid the area and use alternate routes as crews worked to secure the damaged stretch.
Crews Continue Work on Selwyn Avenue
The sinkhole formed along Selwyn Avenue at Colony Road, a well-traveled corridor between Myers Park, Barclay Downs, and SouthPark. Police reported the road closure on Monday evening after the pavement problem created a traffic hazard.
Charlotte Water later confirmed that crews were responding to a water main break. The break disrupted water service in the 2900 block of Selwyn Avenue and prompted crews to prepare for underground repairs.
The closure caused traffic delays in a dense part of south Charlotte where drivers often use Selwyn Avenue to reach Colony Road, Runnymede Lane, Park Road, and nearby businesses. Police urged motorists to stay away from the work zone.
Water Main Break Affects Customers
Charlotte Water spokesperson Cam Coley said crews began repairs Monday evening, while other utility companies marked underground lines before digging. WBTV reported crews were repairing the break after water surfaced from the ground.
Coley said about 100 customers in the immediate area could experience low or no water pressure until later Monday night. The agency did not immediately say when full service would return for all affected customers.
Charlotte Water says sudden pressure drops can occur when crews repair a nearby drinking water pipe. The agency directs residents to report water leaking from under pavement, meter boxes, or fire hydrants by calling 311 or 704-336-7600.
Neighbors Saw the Water Surface Earlier
Neighbors and business owners said water began coming up from the street before the closure. One witness told WBTV that water started bubbling from the ground and worsened over about an hour.
The problem reportedly became visible earlier in the afternoon after a large pickup truck drove over an uneven patch of road. Officials have not publicly confirmed whether the vehicle caused any damage or simply passed over an already weakened section.
The sinkhole was later covered, but crews said more work was still needed. Repair crews also said a contractor would need to tear out part of the road.
Businesses Brace for Access Problems
Businesses near Selwyn Avenue faced immediate concerns over access, parking, and customer traffic. WSOC reported service impacts for nearby homes and businesses after the water main break forced the road closure.
Matt Stahl, general manager of Bicycle Sport, told WBTV that parking was a major concern because the business already has limited lot space and depends partly on street parking. He said a long closure could hurt business if the area stays blocked for days.
A nearby resident, Kristy Whitesell, said she was without water pressure and also worried about traffic moving through surrounding neighborhoods. Drivers often shift into residential streets when major neighborhood corridors close.
Traffic Shifts Around Barclay Downs
The Selwyn Avenue closure affected traffic near Colony Road and Runnymede Lane. WCNC reported heavy traffic between those nearby points as crews blocked off part of the area.
Drivers in south Charlotte should expect delays near the work zone until repairs are finished. Smaller neighborhood streets may see extra traffic as motorists try to bypass the closure.
Police did not report any injuries connected to the sinkhole. Officials had also not released a full measurement of the damaged area as of the latest update.
Repair Work Requires Utility Checks
Water main repairs under a road can take time because crews must protect nearby underground systems. Utility markings help workers avoid gas, electric, sewer, internet, and other lines before excavation begins.
Crews said the damaged section would require additional work by a contractor. That means the response is not limited to stopping the water leak. Workers also need to stabilize the road and restore pavement before normal traffic can fully resume.
Officials said two lanes would be open on Tuesday while contractors continued work. Drivers should still use caution near Selwyn Avenue because equipment, cones, and lane changes may remain in place.
As of the latest public update, the sinkhole had been covered, but repair work was not complete. Crews still needed to remove part of the road and continue contractor repairs.
Charlotte Water had not announced a final completion time. Police and utility crews continued to advise drivers to avoid the affected area near Selwyn Avenue and Colony Road while work continued.
