MOPT: More than 1,100 loads of material to fill massive sinkhole near Nuevo Arenal

Workers attempt to liberate a backhoe that was buried when the hole opened. – PHOTO: Timothy Williams / InsideCostaRica.com
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July 26^th, 2013 (InsideCostaRica.com) The massive hole which swallowed a section of Route 142 near Nuevo Arenal will require more than 1,100 loads of material to fill, according to Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) representatives.

The hole, which measures about 100 feet in diameter and 30 feet in depth, was apparently caused after the flow of a nearby creek was interrupted. The hole is located in front of the popular Gingerbread restaurant.

A representative of Moran Real Estate told Inside Costa Rica last week that they were forced to evacuate their offices as the hole had reached within three feet of the building.

Rainy conditions have and will likely continue to affect the pace of repairs at the site.

The route is an important one for local businesses, as it is frequented by tourists passing between Guanacaste and La Fortuna de San Carlos and the Arenal Volcano, though an alternative route is available.

Road crews were previously building a retaining wall at the site.

Officials last week estimated that repairs could take between 15 and 22 days.