Section of Monocacy Boulevard reopened after sinkhole repairs completed

The City of Frederick is pleased to announce the reopening of the portion of Monocacy Boulevard between I-70 and South Street as repairs to a sinkhole that opened in May.

On May 4, A sinkholeopened on the shoulder of Monocacy Boulevard approximately 200 feet east of the intersection with South Street.

Initially, the westbound right lane was closed as a precaution. But, on May 5, all westbound lanes were closed from the ramp for Exit 55 to South Street because the sinkholeexpanded toward the roadway but still remained in the shoulder and drainage ditch.

The size of the sinkhole increased on May 6 due to rain and stormwater runoff, causing to undermine the road. City staff closed the road to all traffic between the ramp for I-70 Exit 55 and South Street. As the sinkholegot larger it further undermined the road and undermined a 16-inch water main. The watermain broke causing outages along Tilco Drive and this segment of Monocacy Boulevard. City DPW staff shut the water main down and installed valves on each side of the break.

On June 10, the City of Frederick awarded a bid for the sinkhole repair to Pleasants Construction, with work beginning the week of June 27.

"I want to thank our City Department of Public Works and Pleasants Construction for their diligent and dedicated work to repair the sinkhole and reopen Monocacy Boulevard, as a major artery for our City's transportation system," said Mayor Michael O'Connor. "I also appreciate our residents and businesses for their patience as the repairs were made. Monocacy Boulevard is a critical road for our community and its reopening will certainly provide relief for traffic in and out of the City."