Newberry, FL sinkhole
© ASCO
A sinkhole opened in Newberry along Newberry Road just west of Northwest 266th Street, worsened by a burst water line.

Alachua County sheriff's deputies responded and were guiding morning commuters slowly through the area.

Newberry City Manager Mike New said the 3 inches of rain the city got Tuesday could have washed out soil supporting a waterline that subsequently sagged and ruptured, washing out even more soil and deepening the hole.

When deputies were called about 6:20 a.m. Wednesday, the sinkhole was about 30 feet wide and 30 feet deep near the roadway. Eventually, a portion of the road collapsed after the soil supporting it caved in.

When the water line is repaired, the sinkhole can be filled in and repairs made, a deputy at the scene said.

New said replacing the water line could cost $4,000.

City of Newberry water customers west of 260th Street were placed on a precautionary boil water notice, the city said on Twitter.