FDOT confirms prior “depression” where hole opened on Beach Boulevard

Jacksonville, FL — The Florida Department of Transportation is surveying drainage pipes around the area, to determine if there are any signs of “distress”.

This comes as they further confirm that just about three weeks before a large hole opened on Beach Boulevard because of a collapsed drainage pipe, there were repairs done on a depression in the same area.

The void opened May 16th on Beach Blvd eastbound at Falcon Ridge, which is before Hodges Blvd. It caused part of the right turn lane to collapse. At that time, WOKV told you that people living in the area reported FDOT had been out just weeks prior to address another concern in the same area.

Now, FDOT confirms they got notice of a “depression” April 23rd and created a ticket to have their maintenance contractor review the site. FDOT says that contractor did a “visual inspection” and filled the depression with soil.

WOKV asked FDOT to assess the quality of the April 23rd repairs, and we have not yet heard back. We have also requested prior inspection reports for the drainage pipe.

It's the same location that is now a massive repair site, with FDOT replacing a caved in drainage pipe. Heavy rainfall that we've seen over the last few days is being blamed not only for accelerating the collapse, but for holding up the final phase of the repairs- laying concrete and asphalt.

FDOT says they’re assessing the condition of other drainage pipes in the area, and taking “appropriate corrective action where distress is determined”.

The good news is that taxpayers will not be paying for either of these repairs. FDOT says the maintenance contractor is absorbing the cost.