The large sink hole on Snake Nation Road will soon be filled in, but the road will have to be rerouted around it.

In studies conducted earlier this year, County Engineer Mike Fletcher said the ground was shown to have large cavernous areas that might continue to collapse. Given that this is the second time the sink hole has opened, despite being filled with tons of material two years ago, the county deemed it unsafe to continue having traffic drive over that area even after it is filled again.

“We are purchasing the property to the north, 5.22 acres, for $40,000 to reroute the road,” said County Manager Joe Pritchard.

Rerouting the road will cost approximately $300,000 versus at least twice that amount to reinforce the hole, put in concrete supports, and fill it to prevent the road from collapsing again.

Fletcher said three driveways will have to be rebuilt to reach the new road. Currently, he said residents in the area of the sink hole are having to take an eight-mile detour, but “by Thanksgiving”  they will once again be driving on a newly built section of Snake Nation Road.