Winter Haven residents and semi-trucks hauling full loads were faced with an unexpected detour after Intermodal Drive closed abruptly due to what was initially reported as a "sinkhole the size of a football field" late Thursday evening. As it turned out, the cause of this disruption was not a sinkhole after all, but rather the formation of an underground tunnel between two retention ponds, linked to ongoing construction work in the area, according to a news release from the Winter Haven Police Department obtained by WTSP.
The Winter Haven Police clarified that upon investigation of the site, which saw a significant presence of emergency responders and police, it was found that the pond being constructed began to siphon water from the pre-existing pond across the street, resulting in an underground channel forming beneath the roadway connecting the two ponds, when first responders arrived on scene they communicated what they’re seeing in real time to ensure a fast, coordinated response according to a statement obtained by WFLA.
Officials from the Winter Haven Police Department swiftly instituted road closures "out of an abundance of caution," especially given that Intermodal Drive is a major thoroughfare for heavy construction vehicles and semi-trucks. While the road surface remains intact above, the evaluation of the underlying tunnel is yet to confirm the extent to which the road's structure may be compromised and when it might safely reopen, as Tampa Bay 28 reported.
Engineers and the property owner's teams are on-site working to determine the next steps, which include filling and stabilizing the area beneath Intermodal Drive to prevent any further issues as this part of the infrastructure, along with the roadway and stormwater systems, is privately owned, the city staff remains on-hand providing necessary support to maintain the closure of the road while the tunnel is being dealt with, the Winter Haven Police Department stated in a news release.
