Sewage Pipe Intact, Sinkhole Test Under Way at Windhorst and Parsons

Several lanes at the intersection of Windhorst Road and Parsons Avenue in Brandon remain closed while county officials work to detemine why part of the roadway collapsed earlier this week.

“Right now staff from the Public Works Department is testing the area for sinkholes so the lanes will be closed until further notice,” Patrick Murray, a Hillsborough County spokesman, said July 21. “We are not sure when the lanes will reopen.”

Hillsborough County Public Utilities Department crews first believed a 16-inch sewage pipeline beneath the intersection might have caused the collapse of the 6-foot-square section of roadway on July 19.

But the pipe was found to be intact.

“Something caused the road to collapse so until they find exactly what happened we will be exercising caution,” Murray said.

Barricades remain in place with one northbound lane of Parsons and the westbound turn lanes on Windhorst still closed.

Additional detours and lane closures are possible as crews dig up the line for inspection and any necessary repairs.

Motorists who must travel through the intersection are warned to expect delays.