Hole hampers Howard St. light rail, vehicle traffic

A 6-foot-deep hole opened on Howard Street downtown last night, closing the southbound lanes to vehicle and light rail traffic as a city public works crew began repairs.

The hole was discovered yesterday evening in the 800 block of N. Howard. Officials were trying to determine whether the problem was caused by a break in an underground sewer line or by a storm drain, said Kurt L. Kocher, a spokesman for the city Department of Public Works.

Southbound light rail service was interrupted on Howard Street. The Maryland Transit Administration shuttled passengers around the affected area by bus, an MTA police officer said.

It was unknown last night whether the light rail would be operating normally this morning.

The hole measured 6 feet by 4 feet across and 6 feet deep, Kocher said.