Portion of Route 202 closed in KOP due to sinkhole. How to avoid it

Editor's note (July 12, 2023, 6:38 a.m.): This story is no longer being updated. Click here to check out the progress being made to repave the roadway.

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A portion of Route 202 (East Dekalb Pike) in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, will remain closed until Wednesday at the earliest due to a massive sinkhole in the middle of the road between the Tires Plus store and Walgreens, officials said. 

The sinkhole was discovered during a reported water outage in the area.

Léelo en español aquí.

The section of the road between Henderson Road and Saulin Boulevard was closed at 8 p.m. Monday in both directions. Crews are working to repair a broken water main before they begin repairing the road.

Detour signs directed traffic around the area until repairs are made. 

PennDOT said crews needed to dig into the hole to remove debris and get to the source of the leak, NBC10's Deanna Durante reported. Repairs then would be made before the hole is filled.

Crews could be seen working in the hole around 7 a.m. Tuesday.

Rt 202 Sinkhole: The hole is being filled now. Road still closed in both directions between Saulin Blvd and Henderson Road in KOP. ⁦@NBCPhiladelphia⁩ pic.twitter.com/feqYVbONKM

— Matt DeLucia (@MattDeLucia) July 11, 2023

By 11 a.m., pipes could be seen in the hole as large machinery was used.

PennDOT did not reveal the specific time the road will reopen but said it would occur on Wednesday at the earliest as crews work to fill it, stabilize it and pave it with asphalt. PennDOT hoped to get one lane open in each direction by the end of Tuesday.

How do I get around the sinkhole closure?

NBC10 First Alert Traffic reporter Sheila Watko suggested using Ross or Henderson roads as alternates, but warned that those roads could back up as more drivers use them Tuesday. Drivers could also take Route 23 down to Route 320.

Rt-202 remains CLOSED between Henderson Rd and Saulin Blvd due to a sinkhole. Stick to PA Turnpike as your best alternate - depending where you're going, Rt-23, 320, 422, S Gulph Rd, Henderson Rd, Ross Rd could all be options, too. @NBCPhiladelphia https://t.co/9UGENrEspP

— Sheila Watko (@SheilaWatko) July 11, 2023

U.S. Route 422 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike can be used to get around the closure entirely, Watko said. However, you have to pay a toll on the turnpike.

Residents in the area with additional questions can call Pennsylvania American Water's customer service center at 1-800-565-7292.