FDOT investigating why drainage pipe caved in along Beach BLVD opening massive hole

Jacksonville — The Florida Department of Transportation says they are investigating why a 48-inch drainage pipe caved in which caused a massive hole to open up on the eastbound side of Beach Blvd near Hodges on the far right side of the road yesterday.

FDOT says because of heavy rainfall recently the opening developed at a higher rate which caused the road to cave in. FDOT says they expect to have the road work completed in less than a week barring unforeseen circumstances. In the mean time FDOT says there might be lane closures along Beach BLVD as construction crews work to repair the road and the drainage pipe.

As part of the hole opening up JTA said they were detouring the eastbound Route 9 and any Paratransit service in the area, but they have since resumed normal routes along Beach.

FDOT says the contractor is at the hole and assessing the damage.

“Their gonna need to replace portions of this drainage pipe.” Says Hampton Ray with FDOT.

Ray says parts of the pipe may need to be shipped in from somewhere.

FDOT says the hole has been contained and shouldn’t get any larger than what it already is.

As crews work to fix the drainage pipe and fill in the hole Ray says drivers should use caution through the area.

“We do have professionals that work really hard to make sure that our infrastructure is safe and when an incident like this does occur, ya know, they are deployed quickly.” Ray says.