Asheville Sinkhole Disrupts Traffic and Local Businesses

News Summary

A newly-formed sinkhole at the intersection of Swannanoa River Road and Biltmore Avenue in Asheville has alerted local commuters and businesses, prompting emergency repair work. Although the North Carolina Department of Transportation schedules repairs to finish by Wednesday night, concerns linger about accessibility for nearby businesses affected by ongoing sinkholes. The community response adds a quirky twist, as a ‘Sinkhole Group’ has formed highlighting the unusual predicament.

Asheville Sinkhole Puts Traffic and Local Businesses on High Alert

Asheville is buzzing with the news of a recently formed sinkhole at the intersection of Swannanoa River Road and Biltmore Avenue. This quirky yet troublesome hole made its entrance to the scene on Wednesday, catching the attention of local commuters and business owners alike as it disrupted traffic flow. David Uchiyama, a communications officer for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, has confirmed that excavation and repair work is slated to kick off Wednesday evening, right on the heels of the unfortunate sinkhole appearance. Drivers should brace themselves for temporary roadblocks while crews get to work. The reassurances are that repairs should wrap up by Wednesday night, so fingers crossed for a swift resolution to the chaos!

Weather Looks Promising as Repairs Commence

Looking ahead, Thursday brings with it promising weather, with temperatures expected to hover around 62°F in the morning and possibly reaching a cozy 70°F by Friday. However, do keep in mind the advice to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure, especially for those in and around Graham, McDowell, Mitchell, and Yancey Counties. Let’s hope the team working on the sinkhole can take advantage of this agreeable weather to get the repairs done efficiently!

A Community of Sinkhole Enthusiasts

In a twist that highlights Asheville’s unique charm, this sinkhole saga has captured the community’s attention, reminiscent of a similar sinkhole that delighted social media users earlier in June on Merrimon Avenue. That particular hole, measuring a whopping 36 feet in diameter, became an online sensation, leading to the creation of the “Asheville Sinkhole Group”, which has bloomed to over 1,700 members. The group shares everything from memes and jokes to hilarious updates about the cherished pit. In a light-hearted nod to the local phenomenon, even merchandise like T-shirts featuring the sinkhole has popped up, making it clear that some are keen to embrace the quirky side of this underground nuisance.

The Ongoing Challenges for Local Businesses

As the city manages these sinkhole-related adventures, local business owners are facing their own uphill battles. A separate growing sinkhole on Sardis Road, near Crust Never Sleeps Bakery and 1 on 1 Physical Therapy, first appeared back in July as a modest 3-foot by 3-foot pothole but has been steadily enlarging ever since. The increasing size of this hole has left business owners worried about losing vital customer traffic due to accessibility issues.

As the issues linger, concerns are mounting as business owners repeatedly seek answers from their landlord and the construction crew regarding the ongoing repair efforts. An empty excavator that has sat idle for the last two weeks only adds to their frustrations, as many realize that time is of the essence for maintaining customer access. Dawn Alexander, the owner of Crust Never Sleeps, has observed that the sinkhole fills with water even during dry spells, hinting at possible underlying issues that could complicate repairs. It’s making everyone wonder what lies beneath.

Looking Towards Permanent Solutions

While one sinkhole seems to keep the social media buzz alive, the other is becoming a real headache for nearby business owners. Sadly, the ongoing saga does not appear to conclude anytime soon, as permanent repairs for the Merrimon Avenue sinkhole are set to begin on Monday, and many around town are left anxious about what will happen next. The Asheville community continues to watch and hope for the best outcomes while navigating the challenges that pop up due to these unpredictable sinkholes!

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Additional Resources

• WLOS: Sinkhole at Busy Asheville Intersection
• News Observer: Sinkhole Developments in Asheville
• WYFF4: Second Sinkhole Opens Up Near Asheville
• Google Search: Asheville Sinkhole
• Wikipedia: Sinkhole