DOT: Road damage repairs cost $675,000

Staff photo by ERIC HAUSMANN

The DOT also was responsible for fixing sinkholes on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard near Valrico and on U.S. 27 in Polk County.

By TBO.COM | Tbo.com
Published: February 01, 2010

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TAMPA --

Fixing damage from sinkholes and depressions on Interstate 4 and other roads cost Florida taxpayers $675,000.

Sinkholes and depressions peppered the landscape in eastern Hillsborough last month after farmers mined the aquifer for nearly a billion gallons a day for 11 consecutive days to protect crops.

I-4 was especially hard hit with a depression closing three of four eastbound lanes for four days. A sinkhole closed an exit ramp at Branch Forbes Road.

The depression caused nearly half the repair tab at $300,000, said DOT spokeswoman Marian Scoza.

The DOT also was responsible for fixing sinkholes on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard near Valrico and on U.S. 27 in Polk County.