Swift action has successfully addressed a sinkhole that emerged on a Cherry Hill roadway, marking the second incident of its kind in South Jersey within the past week. The sinkhole, discovered at the intersection of Pawtucket Drive and Partridge Lane in the Fox Hollow neighborhood, measured 20 feet wide and 10 feet deep.
The sinkhole resulted from a collapsed sewer line along Partridge Lane, and the ensuing damage prompted officials to implement detours and redirect traffic in the area. Repairs to the sewer line were promptly completed by 6:30 p.m. on the same day, with the roadway reopening for traffic. Additional repairs to the asphalt are expected to conclude by the end of the working day on Friday, according to Brian Bauerle, Chief of Staff for the Mayor’s Office.
Fortunately, the sinkhole did not impact sewer and water services, and no injuries were reported. The incident highlights the challenges posed by infrastructure vulnerabilities, with a similar event occurring in Delsea earlier in the week due to a collapsed sewer line.
Both sinkholes formed in close proximity to bodies of water, with Delsea’s incident near Swedes Lake and Cherry Hill’s occurrence approximately a block away from the North Branch of the Cooper River. Sinkholes can manifest naturally as water permeates the soil, dissolving underlying rocks and causing ground collapse. Factors such as solid waste and subterranean installations, such as pipes and drains, can also contribute to sinkhole formation, as highlighted by the U.S. Geological Survey and state authorities.
