Sinkhole on SR 41 in Oakhurst

A deceptively small sinkhole on State Route 41 in Oakhurst blocked about three feet of the southbound lane Thursday and Friday, the California Highway Patrol reported.

The sinkhole was discovered Thursday just south of Hodges Hill Road. Though seemingly little, Caltrans said the hole was larger beneath the roadway — about 8 feet wide by 6 feet deep — and was expected to require extensive repairs.

That afternoon, Caltrans workers removed the road surface to open up the hole, and then covered the opening with a 16x8 steel plate, forcing southbound travelers to use the center lane until Friday evening.

No delays or backups on the freeway were reported...