Following record-breaking rainfall and severe flooding of the Suamico River, a massive sinkhole formed near a bridge, consuming a significant portion of the road and leaving a power pole on the brink of collapse.
Local resident George Kapitz, who has lived in the area for years, noted that he has “never seen it this bad,” as the river overflowed its banks and surged into roadside ditches. While a new dam spillway installed last fall is successfully diverting excess water and preventing a dam failure, the damage to the surrounding infrastructure is extensive.
Andrew Smits, Suamico’s Director of Public Works, stated that crews cannot begin rebuilding the roadway until the floodwaters recede and the subgrade can be properly evaluated. The repair process will be a major undertaking, requiring significant stonework and reinforcement “from the bottom up” to stabilize the ground.
Officials have barricaded the area and are urging the public to stay far back from the rushing water and the unstable ground around the sinkhole.
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