DFW AIRPORT - The FAA reported departure delays Tuesday at DFW International Airport because of a sinkhole near one runway. The delays have since been alleviated, but the sinkhole remains.

The runway being impacted runs north and south, and is located near the west side of the airport. The sinkhole opened up in a nearby grassy airfield, about 250 feet between a taxiway and a runway. It was discovered just after 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning.

The sinkhole is said to be about 25 feet long and 25 feet wide. An airport spokesperson said that it is too early to say if it is the result of excessive rain, or if the sinkhole is at risk of expanding.

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Although the sinkhole is not on the runway itself, officials feared that it was close enough to present a safety concern to travelers leaving on Tuesday.

The agency said that the runway is now closed, which had first caused flights to back up at the airport by as much as 30 minutes early Tuesday morning. However, the airport was able to shift departing flights onto other runways in order to prevent worsening delays.

The runway will remain closed until repairs can be made, but airport officials did not say how long that might take.