Photo: Suphameth Jaruthaninphong / Moment / Getty Images
A massive 80-foot sinkhole that has disrupted traffic on Route 772 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania for over a week is finally nearing repair completion. West Earl Township officials announced that the road will be paved today, Wednesday (February 11), with plans to reopen the thoroughfare by tomorrow.
The sinkhole formed last week at the intersection of Locust Street and South State Street (Route 772) following multiple water main breaks. The situation was serious enough that West Earl Township supervisors approved a declaration of disaster emergency last Thursday to expedite repairs.
"We initially had two water main breaks yesterday. Got them repaired, got the water hooked back up. Last night we had another water main break which caused more extensive damage to the already existing sinkhole that's underneath that area," Township Manager Jenna Reigle explained when the issue first emerged.
The emergency declaration allowed township officials to bypass normal procedures for hiring workers, renting equipment, and purchasing supplies to address the situation. Excavation crews have been working diligently, removing asphalt and digging more than 20 feet down to make necessary repairs.
Local resident Andy Miller expressed what many in the community felt about the dangerous situation: "This is the scary thing. I drive over this road on a regular basis. I could have been in that sinkhole," he told WGAL News 8.
The closure has significantly impacted traffic in the area, as Route 772 typically carries approximately 12,000 vehicles daily. While water service has been restored to affected residents, the Talmage area remains under a boil water advisory until further notice.
West Earl Fire Chief Bryan Martin noted the unusual scale of this particular sinkhole: "It's the biggest one to my memory," though officials acknowledge that sinkholes are not uncommon in this part of Lancaster County due to the area's limestone soil.
People who live immediately in the area have been able to access their homes throughout the repair process, but drivers using Route 772 as a thoroughfare have been asked to avoid the area. Township officials have warned that crossing road closure barriers could result in tickets from West Earl Township Police.
With paving scheduled for today and reopening planned for tomorrow, residents are expressing relief that their daily routines can soon return to normal. "There's work to be done after it's filled, but hopefully everything settles and we all get back to driving on the road we use all the time," resident Michael Joseph told local media.