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POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A Winter Haven roadway has been closed after reports of a tunnel about “the size of a football field” opening up in the ground near a construction site.
According to Winter Haven city officials, engineers have responded to the area near Intermodal Drive Friday morning and found a tunnel formed between two retention ponds.
What You Need To Know
- A Winter Haven roadway has been closed after reports of a tunnel about “the size of a football field” opening up in the ground near a construction site
- Engineers have responded to the area near Intermodal Drive Friday morning and found a tunnel formed between two retention ponds
- The roadway itself remains intact, but the underground cavity beneath it must be evaluated before reopening
Authorities said there is an existing retention pond across Intermodal Drive from the new construction. As excavation work progressed, a siphoning effect developed between the two ponds, causing water from the existing pond to flow underground toward the new one.
This created a tunnel beneath the roadway connecting the two ponds. Because Intermodal Drive is heavily used by semi-trucks hauling full loads, the road was immediately closed out of an abundance of caution.
The roadway itself remains intact, but the underground cavity beneath it must be evaluated before reopening.
The construction site, roadway, and stormwater infrastructure are all privately owned, city officials said.
The property owner’s construction team and geotechnical engineers are on site assessing the situation and determining the best method to safely fill and stabilize the area.
City of Winter Haven staff are present to provide support as needed, including Winter Haven Police maintaining the road closure overnight for public safety.
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Spectrum News Staff
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