Sinkhole causes traffic headaches in Apex
APEX, N.C. (WTVD) -- There's traffic trouble in one Wake County town and concerned residents say it's only going to get worse until a sinkhole problem is fixed.
There's a sinkhole on Optimist Farm Road in Apex. Repair work is at a standstill. DOT says they need to get a custom made pipe to make the repair. The delay on repair work is causing delays on the road.
"Ten Ten's been a parking lot," said Apex resident Chris Hare. "What is usually is a five minute drive is turning into a 25 minute wait."
A few people tell ABC11 there has been tremendous traffic on Ten Ten Road. For weeks, drivers have been rerouted there because of the sinkhole. Machinery is parked right next to it, but crews are not working there right now.
"We've had barricades up for about two weeks and they just moved the bulldozer down there to start but nothing yet," said Hare.
The DOT says the repair is taking longer because they are waiting for a custom made pipe. That specialty piece could prevent a future washout if there's another major rainstorm. The department says crews will be digging up a bigger trench for it and will have to rebuild the roadway.
While residents wait on that custom made piece to come in, they have other concerns. Impatient drivers have been ignoring the closure signs and driving a few feet away from the sinkhole. Residents worry something bad might happen.
"I've seen a couple of instances where people are just kind of sneaking around looking and still traveling and using the road," said Hare
The DOT said it will be at least two or three weeks before the road reopens.
