Sinkhole closes Madison County road, causing problems for commute

MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. — Drivers are used to passing through Bedford White Road with ease, but after Thursday’s heavy rains, the road was shut down due to a hole on the side of the road.

Debra Smith said her husband walked across the street Thursday morning and knew something wasn’t right.

“And when he crossed the road he saw the water shooting up in the air about 20 ft. where the main water line had broken down at the bottom of the hill,” said Debra Smith who lives nearby.

As you can see pipes are exposed where the road once was. Smith says the water in the area was turned off for hours Thursday as crews worked.

“Talked like it was temporary fix and that they will have to come back and do repairs to the line and the road.”

Jackson-Madison County EMA Director Marty Clements said water erosion caused the sinkhole, and due to the amount of rain that fell, there could be more sinkholes like this one.

“Others could happen,” said EMA Director Clements. “As much rain as we’ve had, and as saturated as the ground is, there’s a whole lot more that could happen.”

With Nova Elementary just a few miles away, Smith said the road closure will have an effect on school traffic Monday morning, but she’s thankful nobody has been hurt.

“Very disturbing to think about them coming to school Thursday morning and passing over that area while that was washing out,” Smith said. “It would have been very disastrous if someone had come along when it was caving in.”

EMA Director Marty Clements said the highway department will be back on Bedford White Road Monday to asses the damage and figure out the best way to fix the road.

If Bedford White Road is a part of your morning commute, be advised the road is closed between Watson Road and Hwy. 70