Prince Frederick, MD – The heavy rains that fell in the Prince Frederick area brought much for commuters to worry about, including what some were initially identifying as a sinkhole. The incident was first widely reported shortly after high noon by passersby who saw the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) crews at the site—a median strip on Route 2/4 near Walmart in Prince Frederick.
According to SHA spokesman Dave Buck, while there was a void, this was not a sinkhole, but rather a faulty underground pipe. “Around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday SHA was notified about the metal pipe located in the median near Walmart,” Buck told The BayNet. “No through lanes were impacted. The pipe will be fixed today and will be finished by Friday.”
Buck described the pipe as “old” and added that it became “overwhelmed” with water. “An old metal pipe underground can create a void,” he said.
Buck said it is SHA’s intention to backfill the hole Friday even if the weather is severe.
There are no reports of damaged vehicles or of motorists and pedestrians being injured.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
