All eastbound lanes on River Road in Potomac, Maryland, are closed due a sinkhole, according to traffic officials.
While the sinkhole does not appear big on the surface, officials say there are bigger problems that lay underneath.
A pipe broke and water eroded the asphalt underground, according to officials. A larger area under the sinkhole was marked as unsafe for vehicles to drive over. Officials say there is no support underneath the sinkhole and the pavement could collapse if vehicles drove over it.
The sinkhole is located at the exit of Potomac Village Shopping Center so officials caution drivers to not use the parking lot as a way to get around the sinkhole.
Crews will guide drivers to Falls Road as a turnaround near Counselman Road. Use South Glen Road or Democracy Boulevard as alternative roads to avoid the closed off lanes.
It is not yet clear when the eastbound lanes will reopen.
