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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- A sewer collapse temporarily halted train traffic in Ottumwa Sunday night.

The collapse created a sinkhole under the rail road crossing at South McLean Street.

Crews began working around 10:00 Sunday night to fix the problem.

Director of Ottumwa Public Works, Larry Seals, said the sewer was built in 1893.

Seals credited the sewer’s old age and heavy vibrations from trains passing by caused the collapse.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe closed both lines for a few hours Sunday night into Monday morning until they knew the severity of the collapse.

The southern line was closed until 4:00 Monday afternoon, when Ottumwa crews had installed a new pipe and poured concrete underground.

The northern line operated traffic in both directions as construction continued. BNSF said they were able to get the trains back on schedule by mid-morning and the trains were operating with minimal delays.