Sinkhole Found in Colton Causes Travel Issues for SLU Students

This past Sunday, a sinkhole was found on Route 56 near Seveys Corner in Colton. This resulted in the closure of Route 56 from Seveys Corner to Tupper Lake. It is expected that Route 56 will remain closed as a result until the end of March.   

The sinkhole is about six feet wide and 20-30 feet deep. The hole takes up the entire lane heading towards Tupper Lake. Sinkholes are caused by water seeping into spaces in the rock underground. As the water moves through the rock, it can slowly dissolve soluble rocks like limestone. Once enough cavities are formed the ground becomes unstable and can collapse.   

The travel ban in effect not only affects locals in Colton but St. Lawrence University students as well. Route 56 is part of the primary route to enter the Adirondacks and other popular destinations like Tupper Lake and Lake Placid. Kyle Freundlich ’27 regularly travels on Route 56 to Whiteface Mountain. “As someone who drives that road upwards of two times a week, it’s a serious inconvenience for a dedicated skier,” said Freundlich. While the travel ban is in effect, students will have to drive through Potsdam to NY-458, which adds on extra time to the drive.   

While some have expressed worry about more sinkholes opening in and around the Adirondacks, there is little risk. The Adirondacks are comprised primarily of metamorphic and igneous rocks due to erosion wearing away the weaker sedimentary rocks that were deposited on top by a warm ocean 400-500 million years ago. Metamorphic and igneous rocks are less susceptible to sinkhole formation because they are not water soluble like sedimentary rocks like limestone.