The newest sinkhole on Water Avenue, estimated to be around 25 to 30 feet wide and more than 20 feet deep, is the latest reminder of the aging infrastructure in Selma.

As a result of the hole, which formed last Saturday and took down a telephone pole, the road has been closed all week, and at this point there’s no timetable on when the problem will be fixed.

Although the hole hasn’t changed, it’s important to know that progress is being made. Public Works Director Tommy Smith and Ray Hogg, the city’s engineering consultant, examined the hole from a boat on the Alabama River earlier this week.

The dirt surrounding a pipe collapsed, causing the telephone pole to fall across the road, Hogg said.

Sinkholes aren’t a new problem to Selma. Actually, the newest hole in the road gives a smaller and older one, which has been covered by road cones for weeks, a companion on Water Avenue.

Another issue on Broad Street is slowing traffic to one lane.

These are expensive issues to address and sadly they are only going to continue to occur. Mayor George Evans is looking into grants that could help financially with the problems.

The sinkholes are a big headache for drivers trying to maneuver through Selma and they need to be fixed in a timely manner. Yet, it’s important to express patience.

The city has shown that it recognizes the importance of fixing these holes swiftly and seems ready to do so once it figures out a way to fund the construction efforts.

Unfortunately, understanding the problem and finding the financial assistance needed to fix it are two entirely different things.