Large sinkhole opens up on Prince George roadway

Aug 15, 2025 - 21:25

0 0

Large sinkhole opens up on Prince George roadway

PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A large sinkhole opened up on a Prince George County roadway Monday night, with county and state officials saying a private water company's water main may be to blame.

At about 9 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 11, the Prince George County Engineering and Utilities Department was alerted to a sinkhole on Shallowood Drive, according to an Aug. 15 press release from the county. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) immediately responded and put barricades around the area.

The morning of Tuesday, Aug. 12, county utility workers began to investigate the sinkhole. A detailed inspection was then carried out on Wednesday, Aug. 13. Its findings indicated that the county's sanitary sewer was not the sinkhole's cause and that repairing the sinkhole did not fall under the county's jurisdiction, per the release.

Sinkhole on Shallowood Drive in Prince George County. Photos taken about midday on Aug. 15. (Photo: Prince George County Government)

On Friday, Aug. 15, VDOT began an excavation of the sinkhole to find out what caused it.

"VDOT learned that the water main owned by Wildwood Farms Waterworks, which is operated by the Lundie Water System, is the likely cause of the sinkhole," the county said in the release.

Accordingly, VDOT and representatives from the Lundie Water System are working to repair the sinkhole. The county did not provide an estimate as to when the repairs may be completed.

Driver hospitalized after fiery tractor-trailer crash on I-295 South in Hanover

"Prince George County extends its thanks to the residents who reported the sinkhole, helping to prevent potential damage and ensuring that repairs could begin quickly," the county said.

If you come across a road hazard in need of immediate attention, call VDOT at 800-367-7623. In the event of an emergency, call 911.