People driving through one part of Northumberland County Thursday said they were surprised to see a 12-foot hole in the middle of a busy road.
Traffic was slow on Route 61 in Coal Township because of a mine subsidence.
Crews were on the scene all day dumping rocks into what they call a large hole.
A spokesperson from PennDOT said the mine subsidence opened Wednesday afternoon on Route 61 in Coal Township, and it's taking up almost two lanes of the busy road.
Gloria Watkins lives in Mount Carmel but drives through Coal Township at least twice a week. She said she was surprised to see a large hole in the middle of the road near Shamokin.
"It just seems so dangerous, a little scary. We come through here every week on Sundays and Wednesdays for church. I would never have expected that," Watkins said.
Traffic was moving slowly in the northbound lane of Route 61 while crews dumped rock into the hole. They covered the rock with concrete to stabilize it and then put pavement on top.
The mine subsidence is about 12 feet long, 12 feet wide and five feet deep. It's taking up about one and a half lanes of traffic on Route 61 and cars are forced to drive on the shoulder of the road.
"Five feet deep is pretty deep. It's taller than me. It's a pretty big hole," Watkins added.
PennDOT said this is the second mine subsidence in Coal Township in the past year. The sight was a shocking one for Dennis Seroskie.
"This morning I came out around 6 am. It was still dark and it was a little freaky and scary because the only thing they had out were the cones," Seroskie said.
Jones Hardware and Home Center is near the mine subsidence. Bob Jones is the owner of the store. He was concerned when he saw the large hole right outside his business.
"It's one of those things where it will be a temporary inconvenience, but they'll fix it properly and it will be a permanent improvement," Jones said.
A spokesperson for PennDOT said last year's wet weather played a part in the mine subsidence opening. He said Route 61 in Coal Township should be open by late Friday.