CHESTERVILLE — The Pope Road was closed to traffic about 2:30 p.m. Monday when a fairly large sinkhole was reported. It reopened around 5 p.m.

A hole about 4-feet wide, 5-feet deep — covering about three-quarters of the road — developed from what appears to be drainage under the road, Patrick McHugh, Chesterville road foreman, said.

The hole was near 179 Pope Road, which is a state road, he said. McHugh called Chesterville firefighters to help with traffic control.

State workers have barricaded the road and brought in a backhoe to fill the hole until they can fix it, he said. A portion of the road near the scene remained closed until late afternoon.

The large hole was deceiving, fire Chief Edward Hastings IV said. The hot top didn’t cave in, but there was a large washed-out area under the road.

Pope Road was closed by Chesterville firefighters at the intersection with Route 156 and on the other end at the Valley Road, McHugh said.

abryant@sunjournal.com

Comments are no longer available on this story

filed under: