ARTICLE
A sinkhole opened June 8, near Scott Lake Road and Fitzgerald Road on private property. The sinkhole is slowly growing but currently measures about 75 feet in diameter. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office rendered aid in blocking access and directing traffic away from the unstable area. Polk County Fire Rescue arrived on scene to aid in assessing the threat to structure and safety.
A private enterprise hired by a property owner, drilling across the private drive, hit a pressurized pocket, causing the collapse. The property owners are on-site assessing the situation.
There is no property or structural damage at this time, but three nearby houses could be affected. Polk County Fire Rescue and the Polk County Building Division officials contacted the homeowners whose property is adjacent to the sinkhole.
Until further notice, the portion of Scott Lake Road between Old Scott Lake Road and Fitzgerald Road in Lakeland is closed.
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Update:
Polk County will reopen Scott Lake Road at 2:00 p.m. today (Tuesday, June 13).
Scott Lake Road, between Fitzgerald Road and Old Scott Lake Road has been closed to through traffic since Friday, while contractors for the property owners repaired a sinkhole that opened near the road last week.