City: cave-in damages four cars

Nov. 27--Updated at 1:14 p.m.

City of Jacksonville officials expect Onslow Drive to be open to all traffic by 3 p.m.

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Assistant City Manager Glenn Hargett said that those who had their vehicles damaged by the cave-in on Onslow Drive this morning are able to put a claim in through the city manager's office against the city's insurance.

In order to do so, a statement will need to be provided and city staff will assist in the process.

So far, four claims have been filed.

"It was our belief that was all that was involved," Hargett said.

For more information on the claims process, call 910-938-5220.

Currently one of the lanes turning onto the western end of Onslow Drive from U.S. 17 is closed along with the center portion of Onslow Drive near the bus station. The lanes will remain closed while repairs are made.

Utilities Superintendent Pete Deaver said he received a call from Jacksonville Police Department regarding the sink hole at around 7:15 a.m. JPD was notified about the hole by drivers who hit it and blocked off the area until city staff arrived.

Crews will be putting a camera in the sewer line to see what caused the road to cave in but Deaver said he suspects that it was a defect in the pipe. If that's the case, crews will repair the defect in the pipe and then fix the road with a temporary patch.

"We're not going to leave until we're done," Deaver said.

City officials estimate the cave-in is less than three-feet wide and is shallow.

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