Fayetteville, N.C. — A sinkhole that opened up near a bridge construction project in Fayetteville caused major traffic delays in the downtown area Thursday, and it could be weeks before the hole is filled.

The sinkhole, caused by underground pipe failure, is near the intersection of N.C. Highway 24 and Dunn Road, an area already being affected by bridge construction over the Cape Fear River along U.S. Highway 301 and Business I-95.

Drivers should avoid using Business I-95 (Eastern Boulevard), N.C. 24 (Grove Street) and Cedar Creek Road.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation expects the road to be closed for at least two weeks.

In the meantime, to avoid the area, drivers can take westbound N.C. 24 to N.C. Highway 53 to Person Street to U.S. 30a/I095 Business back to N.C. 24.

Eastbound travelers on N.C. 24 can take the highway to North Broad Street to Person Street to N.C. 53 back to N.C. 24.

Drivers traveling on Interstate 95 will need to take Exit 46, N.C. Highway 87, to get into Fayetteville because of the bridge construction.

The bridge project began Tuesday and is expected to last up to two years.

Alternate routes shown in green.

View Fayetteville sinkhole in a larger map