Details are sketchy at this point, but another sinkhole appeared in Galena, Kan., late Saturday.
Rod Harsh of Route 66 TV Online tells me the sinkhole, which is up to 20 feet deep already, appeared at Bob H. Carr Used Cars at 410 W. Seventh St. in Galena, just off Route 66 near the Sonic Drive-In. The sinkhole is likely caused by an underground cave-in of one of the old lead mines that dot the area.
This is a troubling development, because lead-mine sinkholes already have caused the long-term closing of a U.S. highway near Picher, Okla., just a few miles away. This may force the closing of Kansas Highway 66, aka historic 66, if the sinkhole grows.
Another sinkhole caused trouble in Galena in July when one opened up behind the old Green Parrot Tavern and damaged the back of the building. In fact, the Joplin (Mo.) Globe on Wednesday reported about a task force trying to address the potential cave-in problems in Galena.
UPDATE: Harsh reports Sunday that the sinkhole is only about five feet across and five feet deep. It also hasn’t grown since Saturday night, so let’s keep our fingers crossed.
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