Sinkhole on Route 1 South backs up early morning traffic

SAUGUS – A giant sinkhole on Route 1 South near Main Street in Saugus backed up traffic for more than a mile early Tuesday morning.Jame Waugh, acting Department of Public Works Director, said the company installing the new water main in the area was finishing work for the morning when the temporary fill they were using didn?t set properly.?They had an issue with the flowable fill, which they use for paving the roadway after they work,” said Waugh. “They filled it and they were ready to go then they noticed it was settling so it wasn?t taking the abuse of the roadway. It caused the sinkhole so they ended up going out there and putting plates over it.”Works crews have been installing a new length of water main on Route 1 North from Main Street to Home Depot for much of the summer. Waugh said the sinkhole opened on the Southbound side where workers were making a connection to the new line.Waugh said installing the steel plates kept work crews on the roadway longer than usual, which caused traffic to start backing up.?You know how traffic is on Route 1 South,” said Waugh. “It?s pretty heavy around 5 a.m. or 5:30 a.m. Once you get a standstill it?s going to start backing up.”Michael Verseckes, spokesperson for the Department of Transportation, said steel plates were installed at around 6:15 a.m. and all lanes were open by 7 a.m., but some residual delays remained for some of the morning.Despite the snag, Waugh said he isn?t worried about any future issues.?It was just a fluke,” said Waugh. “Sometimes these issues happen.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].