Car falls into 10-foot sinkhole, shutting down part of the Long Island Expressway

A 10-foot sinkhole opened on the Long Island Expressway in Suffolk County, partially engulfing a car during Thursday rush hour. Two westbound lanes near Exit 49N were closed, backing up traffic on one of the region’s busiest roadways. New York State Department of Transportation officials said a contractor performing sewage project work in the area caused the collapse. Police reported no injuries. The incident raised concerns about road safety and aging underground infrastructure, since sinkholes can form with little warning and create immediate hazards for drivers. Weakened soil, water leaks, and aging systems can contribute to failures, and erosion risks can increase when deforestation occurs. Transportation crews began repairing the damaged roadway section and planned to reopen it after repairs.

"Sinkholes can open without much notice, putting drivers at immediate risk, damaging vehicles, and causing traffic backups that ripple out beyond the original incident. Weakened soil, water leaks, and aging infrastructure can all contribute to these failures. In some places, deforestation is also increasing the risk of erosion and ground instability, adding more strain to systems that are already under pressure."

Read at The Cool Down