Massive sinkhole caused headaches for commuters

Farmington, Conn. (WTNH) - Trouble continued for drivers traveling along Route 4 in Farmington.

The busy road between I-84 and South Road was first shut down yesterday because of the sinkhole.

The road was back open around 2:30 p.m., a half hour before anticipated.

It started out as a hole but a sink hole soon developed. Workers have to put an apparatus inside the hole that will support the road and the traffic that will go over it.

The construction crew began working at the site Tuesday afternoon to replace a sewer line.  
 
"When we got to the corner, we found the sink hole," said President of Mastrobattisto Inc. Rich Zaleski. "How the sink hole got there, I have no idea."

Repairing the 40 foot long hole, is time consuming, but at least the mild weather was a help.

"We've got to dig a hole, level the grade put a pipe in, back fill the hole and it's gotta hold, true to grade," Zaleski said.

And while all that was taking place, a busy area had to deal with traffic detours. The UConn Health Center constantly has people coming and going. Ambulances had to be rerouted, and other businesses in the area noticed a change.

"There's nobody here today," said Dunkin Donuts employee Maddy Luna, "at all. It's usually busy, usually busy."

The completion of the project appears to be on time, there were no hang-ups along the way.

"For the most part yeah, no issues whatsoever," said Zaleski.

The Engineers say it was a team effort. They say this part of the road should be good to go for at least the next 50-60 years.