LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Over a week after a road collapse in Lake County, officials on Thursday confirmed it was due to a sinkhole.
The sinkhole formed on Feb. 2 along Empire Church Road, southwest of state roads 50 and 33 in Groveland, according to Lake County officials. It was estimated to be 200-feet long, 90-feet wide, and 50-feet deep.
Lake County officials said a geotechnical engineering firm, Tierra, Inc., determined the depression was a sinkhole and that “the area of Central Florida where the roadway is located has a moderate to high potential for sinkhole development due to underlying limestone geology.”
“This has understandably been a frustrating situation for nearby residents,” Leslie Campione, chairman of the Lake County Board of County Commissioners, said in a release. “Our priority from day one has been safety. Now that we have confirmation of the cause, we are focused on moving forward with a permanent repair solution as quickly and responsibly as possible.”
The county said engineers developed a repair approach to stabilize the area and to safely rebuild the roadway. The county will seek quotes from qualified vendors to complete the repairs, and if approved, work could begin as soon as possible.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said drivers can use Mattioda Road and Anderson Road as alternative routes. About 1,400 cars travel on Empire Church Road each day, the county said.
Residents with questions can contact Lake County Public Works at (352) 253-6000.