The northbound lanes of U.S. 19, about five miles north of State Road 24 (Otter Creek) in Levy County, will remain closed throughout the evening and all day Wednesday while repairs are made to a sinkhole that developed in the inside lane, according to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). 
FDOT geotechnical engineers Binay Prakash (left) and Chandra Samakur are shown at the site of a sinkhole that developed in the inside lane of northbound U.S. 19 north of Otter Creek.
|
Crews working on adding paved shoulders and resurfacing U.S. 19 discovered the sinkhole about 11 a.m. today.
Traffic was already reduced to one lane while work was underway on the inside lane. When the sinkhole was found to be encroaching onto the outside lane as well, traffic was then diverted to the southbound lanes for two-way traffic (one lane northbound and one lane southbound).
The FDOT contacted the current contractor on the road resurfacing project, APAC-Southeast of Jacksonville, to provide grout to fill the hole and asphalt to temporarily place over the impacted area.
The sinkhole is about 12 feet in diameter and approximately 8 feet deep. About 50 yards of grout -- a mixture of cement, sand and water, is being placed in the hole to bring it back up to the roadway level.
During the traffic diversion, the speed limit is reduced to 35 mph (from 65 mph) and law enforcement will remain at the road closure throughout the night and until the road is reopened.
Motorists can call the FDOT Road Information Hotline (888-558-1518) to get updates on when the road is reopened. | 
