A 25-foot wide sinkhole has closed part of southbound I-270 in Montgomery County.

The right shoulder and two right lanes of southbound 270 before I-370 will be shut down at least until Monday, the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) wrote Wednesday evening. 

There is currently no estimated time for lanes to reopen, the State Highway Administration (SHA) wrote in a release Thursday. The “large sinkhole” was in the right lane before Exit 9, according to a release from Maryland State Police. It was caused by a broken six-foot drainage pipe. 

Crews are assessing the failed corrugated drainage pipe and will begin work as soon as possible, SHA said.

“Drivers should seek alternate routes and expect delays,” MCPD wrote on Twitter. 

SHA advises drivers to use MD 355 as an alternative route until further notice.

Two right lanes are closed on SB I-270 prior to I-370 in Gaithersburg to assess a failed drainage pipe. Crews are assessing the extent of the damage. Work will begin as soon as possible. Motorists should expect delays; take alternate routes. https://t.co/kl6pfVSh4e #mdtraffic pic.twitter.com/KmYMLCXXzu

— MD State Highway Adm (@MDSHA) June 16, 2022

TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Major road damage has the right shoulder and two outside lanes of SB 270 shut down, before 370 until at least Monday, June 20. Road crews working to repair 25 foot wide hole. Drivers should seek alternate routes and expect delays. #Roadclosure #MCPD #MCPNews pic.twitter.com/222Vgh7gyR

— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) June 15, 2022

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Maryam is a reporter with Montgomery Community Media. She graduated from the University of Maryland in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism. Previously, she was an intern with myMCM. She can be reached at mshahzad@mymcmedia.org or on Twitter @maryam_mcm.

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