Massive sinkhole opens up near highway along Oregon coast

Transportation officials say a massive sinkhole has opened near a highway along the coast of southern Oregon.

The Oregon Department of Transportation says a sinkhole off Highway 101 has been plaguing the Curry County town of Harbor since heavy rains last month. A contractor was working on it Thursday when the erosion started to accelerate on a nearby road.

Officials say the sinkhole didn’t swallow any vehicles, and there were no injuries.

Signs have been placed along the highway directing traffic to a detour. ODOT spokesman Jared Castle says drivers can expect delays of five to 10 minutes.

The agency plans to get bids from contractors Friday so repairs can start quickly. Castle says ODOT wants the road partially opened within a week, but the entire repair could take eight weeks.

This story was originally published January 30, 2016 at 3:46 AM with the headline "Massive sinkhole opens up near highway along Oregon coast."