Sinkhole beneath I-44 in downtown St. Louis highlights aging water system

A roughly 30-foot hole opened under I-44 in downtown St. Louis after a 20-inch water main failed, prompting at least a week of closures and detours as officials reinforce the bridge columns and stabilize the sinkhole. The incident underscores decades of deferred maintenance on aging pipes, with the city pursuing a large rate hike to fund replacements, while questions about who will pay for repairs remain unresolved; authorities say the structure is currently sound and emphasize safety during the repair process.