A West VirginiaAs officials try to find a long-term solution, the police department could be swallowed by a huge sinkhole.
It was originally approximately six feet wide by 30 feet deep, when it opened up on Route 20 near the intersection with Route 20. Hinton Police DepartmentAccording to West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH), it occurred in June 2021. Joe Pack, WVDOH Chief Engineer for District Operations, stated that a 90-year-old drain beneath the road started failing and led to the collapse.
Officials stated that the original sinkhole was approximately six feet in width and thirty feet deep.
(West Virginia Department of Transportation).
WVDOH crews built a temporary culvert of 120 feet and filled the road with fill material. However, heavy rains prevented them from installing it. Hurricane NicoleWVDOH stated that the fill was washed away and the sinkhole got worse on Friday, November 11, 2022.
Hinton Police Department clerk told New York PostThe sinkhole was so widespread that the department had to be relocated.
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Pack last week stated that WVDOH has mobilized crews from across the state in order to erect a temporary bridge so traffic can flow through the area while the permanent solution is completed.
A temporary bridge measuring 125 feet will be built along Hinton’s state Route 20 until permanent repairs can take place to the drainage structure, which was 90 years old and collapsed under it, according to the Department of Transportation in a press release.
The first sign of a sinkhole appeared in June 2021.
(West Virginia Department of Transportation).
Pack explained that the bridge will span the hole even if it grows before contractors can replace drainage structures. While the bridge is being constructed, traffic will be detoured.
The statement stated that plans for permanent repairs were delayed by toxic levels of lead at the site. Highways Department will repair the sinkhole, without posing a danger to the public or the work crews.
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Under the area will eventually be a 300-foot steel drainage system.
This report was contributed by The Associated Press.
