A sinkhole that emerged over the weekend has forced the closure of a section of Buford Highway in DeKalb County. As reported by FOX 5 Atlanta, the sinkhole appeared near Briarwood Road, in close proximity to the AutoZone and O'Reilly Auto Parts stores on Saturday morning. While initially seeming minor, FOX 5 crews at the scene indicated that the sinkhole appeared to be significantly larger beneath the surface.
Currently, authorities have shut down one southbound lane of the road to safely manage the situation. According to WSB-TV, the hole was first observed near Briarwood Road just before 7 a.m. on Saturday, with visual confirmation of the ground having eroded under the roadway. DeKalb County watershed officials together with the Department of Transportation are assessing the hole to quickly determine the next steps required to address the roadway's fragility.
As both traffic and local businesses could be impacted by this unforeseen event, the response efforts are being prioritized by the local authorities. However, crews are yet to publicly announce a definitive timeline for the repairs, leaving the duration of the closure uncertain at this moment.
The exact cause of the sinkhole has not been established, nor have officials released statements about potential impacts on the area's substructure. It remains, too, unclear when the road might fully reopen. Residents and motorists are advised to seek alternative routes and stay updated on the situation as evaluations and repair efforts continue on Buford Highway.
