FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — A road collapse was averted after a plumber working on a malfunctioning toilet at a Cinco Ranch home discovered a problem much bigger than a gargling flint, according to the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office 1.
A partial road closure at the intersection of Mason Road and Westheimer Parkway Tuesday afternoon was necessary after a “large void” was reported under the northwest corner of the intersection, officials said. They added that crews are working to solve the problem quickly.
The constable’s office told ABC13 that the roadway collapse could have occurred if the void had not been discovered earlier, adding that a plumber working at a nearby home traced a problem in the homeowner’s toilet to a sewer line below the intersection.
The road collapse was averted after a plumber was called to a nearby home, which led to the discovery of a void beneath the Cinco Ranch intersection, the constable’s office said.
Crews are investigating how dirt got into the sewer line and how long it will take to fix the problem, the constable’s office said.
SkyEye was over the scene where two manholes were seen next to an open manhole located between the road and the sidewalk. Crews were seen working around the pothole, and traffic was redirected away from the accident.
SkyEye was above the scene, and images showed two craters on the ground between the road and the sidewalk.
Southbound Mason Road and westbound Westheimer Parkway are closed, but the rest of the intersection will remain open, officials said.
In a post on social media, Officer Chad Norvell said the lockdown will continue for at least a week while crews investigate what exactly happened.
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