Sinkhole slows Farmington traffic

FARMINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) - Motorists have been advised to avoid a road in Farmington due to a large sinkhole.

Farmington Avenue on Route 4 is closed between I-84 and South Road until further notice due to the development of a sinkhole.

Right turns off exit 39 are not possible. South Road and the UConn Health Center area can be accessed by exit 39 westbound and exit 37 eastbound. Motorists can also take Farmington Avenue from West Hartford.

"I couldn't believe the size of the hole. I couldn't believe the asphalt was holding up the traffic, and traffic had been going over it, trucks cars and we had a wide load come through today, unbelievable," said Dave Zaleski of Bristol.

Crew members believe the hole had been leaking over the last couple of weeks eating away at the earth under the road, so when they saw the giant hollow space they immediately stopped traffic.

"I was a little scared to be honest with you, as soon as I saw the hole, I came up and told the cops to close the road and they shut down the road instantaneously," said Rich Zaleski of Bristol.

It happened just before rush hour, which made for a nasty commute home for many people.

Crews worked to get the main artery in Farmington reopened. The UConn Health Center had to reroute ambulances. Drivers had to figure out another way around, and bus routes had to be changed.

"The construction site didn't bother me as much as the bus when the driver says I am not stopping, and I told him my car is over there, and so he stopped on the highway there on the highway," said Dyrinda Cole.

There is no estimated time as to when the sinkhole will be fixed, and routes will be back to normal.