Closed area of SR 24 near Rosewood in Levy County expected to reopen Aug. 14 after sinkhole repair
Photo courtesy of Levy County Sheriff's Office.
An initial traffic advisory by the Levy County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) stated that only one lane was closed, but warned that the sinkhole was increasing in size, and a detour may be necessary. The visable portion of the sinkhole measured approximately 3 feet, but was found to connect to a cavern as large as 17 feet in diameter, which required about three weeks of time for repairs. The damaged road is expected to reopen to traffic on Friday, August 14.
A detour around the damaged roadway has been in place, directing westbound traffic onto County Road 345, then back into State Road 24, and eastbound traffic onto County Road 345, to County Road 336, then returning to State Road 24. The detours added approximately 10 to 15 minutes to travel time for those commuting between Otter Creek and Cedar Key. Two other areas where sinkholes are suspected will be repaired during the next two weeks, requiring only lane closures.
Sinkholes occur when heavy or prolonged rainfall loosens the hard-packed base layer of the roadway under the asphalt. Most sinkholes are repaired by cement being poured into the airpocket left by the sinkhole.