It is expected to take the state until late January 2026 to repair a sinkhole along Olive Chapel Road in Apex, the North Carolina Department of Transportation [NCDOT] announced Tuesday.
The NCDOT plans to award a contract to complete the repair in late October 2025.
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In the meantime, the state is working with property owners to acquire the necessary right-of-way and secure rights of entry. Utility crews are already on-site to relocate lines.
On Aug. 6, severe storms dropped more than 9 inches of rain in some places across the Triangle, flooding multiple roads, especially in Cary and Apex. On Olive Chapel Road near Ashley Downs Drive in Apex, a culvert carrying Beaver Creek failed, causing the street to collapse under the weight of rushing water.
The collapse opened a sinkhole.
Officials urge the public to stay away from the collapsed culvert and surrounding area. The damaged pipe and pavement remain unstable and unsafe to walk or climb on. Drivers and pedestrians should respect all barricades and cones and avoid the closed area.
Initially, the NCDOT, which owns and maintains the road, had set Nov. 26 as the timeline to reopen due to the extensive damage. Last month, the state said it could take longer than initially expected.