Sinkhole Closes Downtown Knoxville Street

Crews working to repair issue on Market Street near Market Square

Jan. 29, 2026 at 4:31pm

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A section of Market Street in downtown Knoxville has been closed due to a sinkhole that opened up in the 500 block between Clinch and Union avenues. The city and Knoxville Utilities Board are working to repair the issue, and the street is expected to remain closed through the first week of February.

Why it matters

Sinkholes can pose serious public safety risks and cause significant disruptions to traffic and local businesses. This closure near Knoxville's popular Market Square area could impact access and commerce in the heart of the city's downtown.

The details

The 500 block of Market Street in downtown Knoxville was closed on Thursday as crews from the city and Knoxville Utilities Board work to repair the sinkhole. The street is expected to remain closed through the first week of February while the repairs are underway.

  • The sinkhole was discovered and the street closed on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
  • The street is expected to remain closed through the first week of February 2026.

The players

Knoxville Utilities Board

The public utility company responsible for providing water, electricity, and other services to the Knoxville area.

City of Knoxville

The local government responsible for maintaining roads and infrastructure in downtown Knoxville.

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What’s next

Crews will continue working to repair the sinkhole, with the goal of reopening the 500 block of Market Street by early February.

The takeaway

This sinkhole closure highlights the importance of maintaining aging infrastructure in downtown areas, as issues like this can disrupt local businesses and traffic flow. The city and utility company will need to work quickly to resolve the problem and restore access to this key part of Knoxville's city center.