A section of Interstate 88 in upstate New York was closed Tuesday after a sinkhole, approximately four feet in diameter, opened along the roadside between exits 10 and 12, according to New York State Police.
The incident occurred near the towns of Unadilla and Otego, roughly 90 miles west of Albany. Authorities reported the sinkhole formed following the collapse of a culvert beneath the highway. Images released by state police show a significant void alongside the elevated roadway.
The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) dispatched crews to assess the damage and begin planning repairs. NYSDOT officials have advised motorists to avoid the area and seek alternate routes until the highway can be safely reopened. No injuries have been reported.
This event is the latest in a series of infrastructure failures to recently impact the New York metropolitan region. In February, a dump truck became fully submerged after falling into a sinkhole in New Jersey. The incident prompted a temporary closure of nearby roads while emergency crews worked to extract the vehicle.
More recently, in October, a breach in a sidewalk near Battery Park in Manhattan revealed a direct view into the subway tunnels below, highlighting the age and vulnerability of the city’s underground infrastructure. While smaller in scale than the I-88 incident, the Battery Park event raised concerns about the condition of subterranean infrastructure.
NYSDOT has not yet released an estimated timeframe for repairs to Interstate 88. A spokesperson for the department stated that a thorough geotechnical investigation is underway to determine the extent of the culvert failure and assess the stability of the surrounding soil. The investigation will inform the scope of the repair operate and the duration of the highway closure.
The affected stretch of Interstate 88 is a major thoroughfare for commercial and passenger traffic traveling between New York City and destinations further west. The closure is expected to cause significant delays and disruptions for commuters and freight carriers. State police are diverting traffic to alternate routes, but motorists are advised to check traffic conditions before traveling.
As of Wednesday morning, NYSDOT crews continue to work at the site, focusing on stabilizing the area around the sinkhole and preparing for the more extensive repairs. The department has not yet announced a schedule for providing updates on the progress of the work.
