A small sinkhole that shut down southbound Pacific Coast Highway at Channel Drive near Seventh Street on Monday is now expected to be completely repaired by late tonight and the street reopened by Thursday morning, officials said.

The city updated residents using Alert Long Beach of the new expected reopening time. It was originally expected to be reopened by 4 p.m. Wednesday.

A spokeswoman for Public Works said Caltrans is working on the repairs that include excavating and replacing a damaged pipe.

Alternate routes include taking southbound Bellflower Boulevard to Loynes Drive and back to PCH or taking Channel Drive to Bixby Village to Loynes Drive and back to PCH.

Valerie Osier is the Social Media & Newsletter Manager for the Long Beach Post. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @ValerieOsier