One lane in each direction open on Fullarton Rd after burst water main caused traffic woes

Fullarton Rd is partially reopen after a burst water main created a huge sinkhole at Mitcham on Monday. But drivers should still avoid the area.

Two lanes – one in each direction – have reopened after a burst water main caused a huge sinkhole on Fullarton Rd at Mitcham on Monday morning.

The pipe was repaired about 3pm Monday, but the hole caused by the incident, which was several metres in diameter, remains.

SA Water crews worked overnight and throughout Tuesday on the busy road. A spokesman said the road was now open at reduced capacity, and drivers should consider an alternate route to help avoid delays.

Crews worked on the road throughout Monday and Tuesday. Picture: Emma Brasier

The sinkhole under at the intersection of Fullarton Rd and Carrick Hill Dr, just outside Mercedes College. Picture: Nathan Regter/7NEWS

“For the safety of commuters and our crews, please observe localised traffic management like reduced speeds while driving through the area,” he said.

“Works to repair the bitumen road surface on the southbound side of Fullarton Rd will continue, with additional sections of the road opened progressively.

“We thank the community and commuters for their patience and understanding as crews work to repair the road surface as quickly and safely as possible.”

The main burst about 3.30am Monday at the traffic lights at the intersection of Fullarton Rd and Carrick Hill Drive, outside Mercedes College, causing traffic chaos for morning commuters in the inner south and restricting traffic flow to several nearby schools.

Authorities said the repairs could take days to complete, or possibly longer.

The water erupted under the road, pushing up the bitumen and causing a large sinkhole in the road.

Crews work to remove debris and fix the intersection at Fullarton Rd and Carrick Hill Dr after the burst water main. Picture: Emma Brasier

The road reopened, one lane in each direction, on Tuesday afternoon. Picture: Emma Brasier

Damage to the footpath caused by the burst main. Picture: Keryn Stevens

More than a dozen homes were impacted by flooding, with shocked nearby residents having to use sandbags to protect their properties.

Fullarton Rd resident Siri Hattotuwa, 72, said he had woken to MFS crews at his door at 3.30am Monday morning.

“It was like a river … the road was not a road, it was a river,” he said.

Mr Hattotuwa’s front garden resembled a mud bath, but he was thankful water was not inside his house.

Emergency workers examine the damage caused to homes along Broughton Ave, Mitcham after a water main burst on Fullarton Rd. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Siri Hattotuwa in front of his home. Residents were alerted to the issue just after 3.30am on Monday. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Around the corner on the heavily damaged Broughton Ave, Mel and Peter Pollard, 39 and 42, had their wellies on to dig up part of their garden.

“I woke up at about quarter-to-four to see two trucks and flashing lights out the front window,” Ms Pollard said.

“I came out and there was just an absolute river flowing.”

Ms Pollard said in her back yard, water was about half-a-metre high.

“It was all across the front, all underwater, our back yard was underwater because it was flowing through the retaining wall from next door,” she said.

She said a sandpit which belongs to their three young girls was floating.

“At the end of the day, we’re not as bad as some of the other poor people,” Mr Pollard said.

Mel and Peter Pollard from Broughton Ave, Fullarton, were affected by flooding. Picture: Keryn Stevens

He said he was thinking of his neighbours who had sustained heavier damage and had parts of their house flooded.

Mr Pollard attempted to help SA Water crews battling against a strong water current, which he said was nearly sweeping their feet away.

Further up from the site, St Michaels Rd resident Rolf Soeffky said burst water mains had been happening for years.

“The government’s been spending millions on these roads, just to rip it up again when this happens,” he said.

“What they need to do is update the dated infrastructure system.”

School traffic at Mercedes College, Unley High School, Urrbrae Agricultural High School, Scotch College and Mitcham Primary experienced interruptions on Monday as a result of the incident.