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MADISON COUNTY, Ala. – A large sinkhole on Highway 53 in Madison County caused officials to close the outside northbound lanes just south of Burwell Road. Alabama Departement of Transportation crews got the hole filled by Thursday afternoon.

County Commissioner Phil Vandiver posted this picture of the hole to his Facebook page Thursday morning saying the sinkhole was visible on the shoulder of the road and also went under the right lane.

The hole was about 7.5 feet in diameter at the surface, wider below the surface, and 12 to 14 feet deep, according to ALDOT.

ALDOT said they did some exploratory drilling in the area to determine the cause and extent of the issue. To repair it, crews had to remove loose material from the hole and then fill it with riprap (stone) and flowable concrete fill, then repave the shoulder.

ALDOT says the the outside lane is reopened ahead of Thursday afternoon traffic but the shoulder will remain closed overnight. Crews will return Friday to repave the shoulder.