Design and Construction Report staff writer
Intermodal Drive in southeast Florida remains closed after engineers discovered a large underground tunnel near a construction site, initially described as a “sinkhole the size of a football field,” the city said Friday.
“We understand that hearing reports of a ‘sinkhole the size of a football field’ in southeast Winter Haven can be unsettling,” the City of Winter Haven said in a statement. “The safety of our community is our top priority, and we want to share the most accurate and up-to-date information about what occurred on Intermodal Drive Thursday evening.”
City officials said early reports were based on initial observations. When emergency crews first arrived, they described over the radio what appeared to be a large sinkhole. As more information became available, it became clear the area was part of a retention pond under construction.
The tunnel formed between two retention ponds. As excavation work progressed on the new pond, a siphoning effect developed between it and an existing pond across the street, causing water to flow underground and erode the soil beneath the roadway.
“Because Intermodal Drive is heavily used by semi-trucks hauling full loads, the road was immediately closed out of an abundance of caution,” the city said. “The roadway itself remains intact, but the underground cavity beneath it must be evaluated before reopening.”
The construction site, roadway and stormwater infrastructure are all privately owned. The property owner’s construction team and geotechnical engineers are on site assessing the situation and determining the best method to safely fill and stabilize the area. Winter Haven Police are maintaining the road closure overnight for public safety.
“We know situations like this can cause concern, and we appreciate the community’s patience as engineers work toward a full resolution,” the city said. “The city will continue to share verified updates as new information becomes available.”
City officials have not provided a timeline for reopening the roadway.
