FDOT monitoring sinkhole on busy road in Marion County

It wasn't planned but parts of a busy road in Marion County are under construction as state crews work on two sinkholes.

Marion County Sheriff's Deputies also have also been monitoring the situation.

The first sinkhole to appear on Baseline Road opened up in the early morning hours of June 7th, at a Marathon gas station — causing a pole to collapse and injure a 60-year-old man.

And just a few days after the initial sinkhole opened up at the gas station, a second, much larger ground collapse took place just down the road.

"When we have these heavy rains, it's as common in Florida as oranges and alligators,” MCSO Public Relations Director, Sgt. Paul Bloom said.

This second sinkhole opened up on June 9th and is roughly four to five times bigger than the first.

This second sinkhole came close to the road but no injuries were reported.

"When the second hole opened up, it was during the day, so the good part about that is people who were driving by were able to see that it was happening and call it into us,” Bloom said.

Baseline Road is also a state road, which means the Florida Department of Transportation will make the repairs.

Traffic is down to one lane at the Dogwood and Baseline intersection but residents can now turn down Dogwood Road.

All south bound lanes on Baseline near the second sinkhole are open, but speed restrictions have been put into place.

According to a press release from FDOT, the department continues to monitor the area and develop a plan for repair.