Sinkhole
© WOIOPart of yet another road collapsing into a sinkhole.
A sinkhole that developed in a problem area along Garfield County Road 109 over the past couple of days has the road down to one lane currently, and will force a full closure while county crews assess the situation.

According to county Road and Bridge Department officials, the new sinkhole is in an area near Aspen Glen that is known for movement and has required quite a bit of fill work over the years.

County Road 109 runs between the Thompson Creek Road (CR 108) and the Ironbridge/West Bank area north of Carbondale.

"This newest sinkhole is an exception to the usual movement, as it is larger and deeper than others," according to a statement sent out by the county Thursday afternoon. "It has gone from approximately four inches deep to five feet deep overnight."

The county has placed approximately 30 tons of material in that same location, which abuts a hillside where several outflows from irrigation dates on the mesa above flow toward the Roaring Fork River.

The road in that area is now down to a single lane, but will need to be completely closed so that the exact cause of the new sinkhole can be determined and repairs made.

"Road and Bridge will be working through the weekend to re-open the road as soon as possible," according to the county's news release. In the meantime, "It is advised that motorists avoid the area."

Alternate routes are back to Carbondale to Highway 133 and Highway 82, or the Thompson Creek Road to Dry Park Road (CR 125), and down Four Mile Road to Glenwood Springs.

Motorists are also advised to not move traffic cones and advisory signs in order to travel through the damaged area, and to strictly obey signs and closures or choose other routes until the road is fixed.