SAN JOAQUIN, Calif. — Construction work is now underway on Kasson Road near Durham Ferry Road in San Joaquin County, 15 days after erosion led to a sinkhole which forced the closure of the roadway.
"During the storms, the weekend before last, a detention basin above this section of roadway breached and sent a large amount of water down into a culvert in this location," said Fritz Buchman, Director of Public Works for San Joaquin County. "Ultimately this water overwhelmed the culvert and washed the culvert out and the adjacent roadway."
Since Jan. 17, the road has been marked with barriers, caution tape, cones and signs telling drivers to turn around. Despite the warnings, at least two cars have tested their luck and their flying skills, getting stuck inside the eroded street while attempting to pass it. No injuries were reported in either crash.
The situation has provided comedic relief for some people who live in the area.
"We go out every once in a while and watch them haul someone out of the hole, which is entertaining, outside of that, it's a bit of an inconvenience," said Pete Longenecker, a 10-year resident of the community adjacent to the sinkhole. "Especially for the guys who drive into the hole, they're really inconvenienced."
For others, dealing with the longer commute is no laughing matter.
"I live here so for me, it's easy," said local resident Jenaro Torres. "I think [drivers who] are going to Modesto or they are going to work in San Francisco... they turn around and they have to go down a lot [of detours]."
According to residents, some commuters have attempted to use residential neighborhoods as detours.
"We don't want the several hundred cars an hour at quitting time at Amazon going through our residence here," said Longenecker. "We've had people posted out there daily ever since."
Owners of Jimmy's One Stop convenience store, just a stone's throw away from the road closed signs, say the road being closed has meant an erosion in business with fewer people commuting down the usually busy street.
They are now hoping that the break in sales will be patched up once workers finish installing a new concrete culvert and pavement by Feb. 10.
"I am proud of our team," said Buchman. "Because of the systems we have set up in place, we're quickly able to engage a contractor and get it done."
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