Traffic Alert: Lanes closed downtown as JEA crews repair road cave-in next to Maxwell House on East Bay Street

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A cave-in near a sewer main on East Bay Street next to the Maxwell House facility has closed multiple lanes downtown as JEA crews work to repair the damage.

Crews have shut down westbound Bay Street and closed one lane of Bay Street headed east. It’s possible those closures could last all week, after JEA discovered it will have to replace the sewer main, which is about 12-14 feet below street level.

JEA spokesperson Myers Vasquez told News4JAX that the utility first got a call about the cave-in around 9 p.m. Sunday.

Initially, the hole was about 3 feet in diameter, but as crews investigated, they realized they would need to dig out more of the street to make repairs.

“We’ll keep on at it until we can get this repaired as quickly as possible,” Vasquez said.

Vasquez explained that because of the location so close to the river, a “dewatering system” has to be brought in to protect the crews as they replace the sewer main.

“Groundwater can impact us. It is tidal here, so we have to see how that impacts the operations,” he said. “Safety is important.”

He also emphasized safety for drivers in the area, who are asked to slow down, take their time and follow all posted detours.

Westbound Bay Street traffic is being detoured onto Lafayette Street and then to Adams Street. Eastbound traffic headed in the direction of EverBank Stadium can still get through in the open lane, but drivers should plan for heavy traffic.

The cause of the cave-in is still under investigation.