Road closure signs in place for a reason

The hole in the ground at Seattle Hill Road makes it look like only the road’s shoulder was blown out by flooding between Lowell-Larimer Road and 132nd Street SE.

Underneath, it’s a different story.

State officials say a 25-foot-deep canyon has formed below the road, cutting as far back as the center of the road.

Obviously it’s not safe to drive on or to walk over.

A motorcycle driver skirted around a barrier this morning and drove over it. He’ll never know how close to death he came (unless he reads this).

State officials plan to use concrete barriers to keep vehicles out while they repair the road over the next four to five weeks. They also would like for pedestrians to stay out.

“There’s nothing holding up that section of roadway,” said Janice Fahning, a state Department of Transportation engineer. She said the asphalt is only six inches thick. “We don’t want people to get hurt.”

That sounds like good advice to me.

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