A sinkhole on Wednesday took out a chunk of U.S. 171 just north of Old Town Road.

The sinkhole, about 15 feet wide and a couple feet deep, was in the right lane of the northbound side of the road. It was believed to be caused by a contractor boring under the road to lay a pipe, said Steve Jiles, the department of transportation’s district administrator.

Dick Gremillion, Calcasieu Parish director of emergency preparedness, urged drivers to plan to take an alternate route, if possible. That could be complicated for some, though, by the fact that North Perkins Ferry Road is closed because of drainage work and the Interstate 10 Calcasieu River bridge work has closed lanes.

He said those traveling U.S. 171 should be prepared for lane changes.

Traffic officials were able to keep both northbound lanes open during morning traffic by diverting cars into the middle lane, Jiles said.

Gremillion warned the heavy traffic could cause delays in emergency response and urged drivers to yield to emergency vehicles.

The hole was filled in with dirt Wednesday. Road repairs are expected to be completed by Friday, Jiles said.

Jiles said he did not know which contractor was doing the boring, but the work was being done to lay an Air Products pipeline. The contractor is responsible for all costs related to repair of the road, he said.

Jiles said he did not believe there is immediate danger of more sinkholes to form.

He said protocol could change for future digging under U.S. 171.

(Brad Puckett / American Press)

Brad Puckett

(American Press)

Brad Puckett