Unexplained sinkhole appears on Massachusetts highway causing delays during the ‘busiest week of the year

A large, unexplained sinkhole has appeared on the highway in Massachusetts , causing serious traffic delays during the busiest week of the year.

The large pothole caused the southbound lanes of Route 24 in Stoughton, Massachusetts, to be closed yesterday. Massachusetts Department Of Transportation - or MassDOT - announced the presence of the hole, writing: "We have notified our contractor, who is currently working to provide emergency repairs.”

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The sinkhole was around 2 feet deep and a traffic-lane wide. Sinkholes are generally caused when water washes away soil and residue from the voids in the rock creating a loss of support for the soft material in the rock spaces, that can lead to collapse. In some instances, sinkholes can be much deeper - up to 100 feet - and extremely dangerous.

Massachusetts Police did not explain how the sinkhole was caused or how quickly it became dangerous for vehicles traveling on the highway. They did however say that no damage to vehicles was reported before MassDOT responded to the scene.

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The road closure led to miles-long traffic delays into the evening. Traffic in Massachusetts reaches its peak in the days leading up to and immediately after the fourth of July. The sinkhole has been fully repaired and traffic has resumed as normal.

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