Sinkhole near lane of U.S. 19 delays traffic

HOMOSASSA -- A road worker Thursday morning noticed a sinkhole on a U.S. 19 median, prompting the Department of Transportation to temporarily close a lane of the busy highway near West Bradshaw Street.

The sinkhole was about 3 feet deep, said department spokeswoman Marian Pscion. The department closed about 1,500 feet of a southbound traffic lane between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.

"We closed the inside southbound lane for safety reasons," Pscion said.

Department crews examined the site, and the hole eventually was filled with dirt. The traffic backup on U.S. 19 ended after the lane was reopened.

Technicians are scheduled to visit today to evaluate the area. The hole is surrounded by barricades and orange tape.

The department is resurfacing U.S. 19 in that region.

The incident Thursday marked the second sinkhole occurrence in Citrus County this month: On Feb. 11, a sinkhole opened at a Citrus Springs gas station, swallowing a Toyota Corolla. The hole was about 35 feet in circumference and just over 40 feet deep.

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