Part of State Road 70 in East Manatee shut down due to ‘depression,’ FDOT says

A portion of State Road 70 in Manatee County is closed early Tuesday morning after a “depression” was found in the roadway.

Florida Highway Patrol officials first reported a sinkhole in the eastbound lane of State Road 70 just east of Betts Road was about two feet in diameter around 5:30 a.m. . The road remains closed in both directions between Singletary and Betts Road.

As of 9:13 a.m. Florida Department of Transportation officials said an underground pipe filed and caused a “depression” in the road.

Traffic has been rerouted to Singletary Road and Betts Road.

FDOT crews will start rebuilding the deteriorated pipe. Officials said it is expected to take about two days to replace the old metal pipe with concrete.

Crews will start with the eastbound side of the road and will reopen that portion of the road to traffic when it’s completed. The westbound side will be completed next.

Officials urge drivers to use caution and expect delays in the area.

This story was originally published October 2, 2018 at 6:33 AM.