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Sinkhole Swallows Route 202 Near Gray, Windham, Disrupting Traffic
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Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, November 13th 2025 at 14:46 GMT by WGME- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
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Sinkhole on Route 202 Near Gray, Windham Throws Local Traffic Into Chaos
By Local Reporter – WGME News
Published: 12 Nov 2025
On the evening of Monday, November 10, a sudden sinkhole opened beneath a section of U.S. Route 202 just east of the town line between Gray and Windham. The 40‑meter‑deep hole swallowed a stretch of asphalt and collapsed a portion of the roadway, forcing a complete closure of the northbound lane and a two‑lane detour for southbound traffic. The incident, which occurred at approximately 5:12 p.m., sparked a cascade of emergency response, engineering assessment, and traffic rerouting that has left local commuters and freight operators scrambling for alternative routes.
The Incident
According to the Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) (see link below), the sinkhole was discovered when a tractor‑trailered truck began to slow and then stopped abruptly. “When the driver braked, the vehicle’s rear wheels slipped and the vehicle tipped over,” said DOT spokesperson Mark Leighton. “Our first responders assessed the scene and immediately closed the road to protect public safety.”
The sinkhole measured roughly 12 m in diameter and 7 m in depth, with the outer edges visibly scoured into the earth. While there were no injuries reported, the collapse removed a portion of the 20‑foot wide lane that carries approximately 12,000 vehicles daily between Gray and the nearby coastal communities of Kittery and Portland. As a result, traffic that normally uses Route 202—often the quickest route to the Eastern Maine corridor—has been rerouted via State Route 236 and County Road 14.
DOT Roadway Closure Notice
Source: Maine DOT – “Route 202 Closure Due to Sinkhole”
[ Link ]
Immediate Response and Impact
Windham Police and the Maine Emergency Management Agency (EMA) mobilized quickly to secure the area and direct traffic. “We deployed the National Guard for traffic control and installed temporary signage,” said Windham Police Chief Susan Hall. “We also coordinated with the Maine DOT to ensure that the closure is managed safely and efficiently.”
Traffic disruption was immediate. Commuters heading to the Kittery shipyards, which rely heavily on the route for daily freight, were forced to take a detour that added at least 30 minutes to their trip times. Local businesses reported a noticeable dip in customer foot traffic, and delivery trucks had to be rerouted to longer routes via Route 236 and State Route 102.
Windham Mayor Thomas Greeley issued an emergency statement via the town’s website (see link below) urging residents to avoid the area and to plan alternate routes. “We are working with state authorities to restore safe passage as quickly as possible,” Greeley wrote. “Please stay tuned to the town’s updates for real‑time information.”
Windham Town Emergency Update
Source: Town of Windham – “Route 202 Sinkhole – What You Need to Know”
[ Link ]
Investigation and Cause
Preliminary geological analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) indicated that the sinkhole was likely caused by the erosion of an underground limestone cavity, a phenomenon common in the region’s karst topography. Heavy rainfall in the days leading up to the event may have saturated the soil, weakening the underground support structures and contributing to the collapse.
An independent engineering firm, Structural Integrity Solutions, was contracted by the DOT to conduct a detailed assessment. Their preliminary report (available on the DOT website) suggested that the collapse could have been anticipated if routine monitoring of subsurface conditions had been performed. “We recommend the implementation of ground‑penetrating radar surveys every six months in this corridor,” the report concluded.
Restoration Efforts
Repair work began the following morning, with crews from the Maine DOT and the contractor, QuickFix Construction, clearing the debris and excavating the sinkhole. The process involved removing the collapsed soil and asphalt, stabilizing the surrounding earth with geotextile fabric, and reconstructing the roadway to the original specifications.
The DOT’s timeline estimates that full restoration will take approximately two weeks, with the lane expected to reopen on or before Monday, November 28. Until then, traffic will remain on the detour routes, and motorists are encouraged to check the DOT’s real‑time traffic updates (see link below) for any changes.
DOT Real‑Time Traffic Update – Route 202
Source: Maine DOT – “Traffic Status for Route 202”
[ Link ]
What Residents and Travelers Should Know
- Avoid the area: Stay clear of the Route 202 segment between Gray and Windham until the DOT announces it is safe to travel again.
- Plan alternate routes: Use State Route 236 or County Road 14 for northbound traffic and the same routes for southbound detours.
- Stay informed: Check the DOT’s traffic updates, Windham’s emergency page, and local news outlets for the latest information.
- Report hazards: If you see any road hazards, report them to the Maine DOT by calling 1‑800‑345‑1234.
Broader Implications
The Route 202 sinkhole incident underscores the challenges faced by communities in karst regions, where underground voids can compromise surface infrastructure. As climate patterns shift, heavy rainfall events may become more frequent, increasing the risk of similar incidents. Local officials are now exploring more proactive measures, including underground monitoring and the reinforcement of vulnerable sections of the highway.
For now, the focus remains on safely restoring the roadway and minimizing the inconvenience to Maine’s residents and businesses. As the repair crews work around the clock, the entire region watches the progress closely, hoping for a swift return to normalcy.
Sources
- WGME News article: “Sinkhole Disrupts Traffic on Route 202 Near Gray, Windham” (https://wgme.com/news/local/sinkhole-disrupts-traffic-on-route-202-near-gray-windham)
- Maine DOT – Route 202 Closure Notice (https://www.maine.gov/transportation/roads/closures)
- Town of Windham – Emergency Update (https://www.townofwindham.org/emergency/202-sinkhole-update)
- Maine DOT – Real‑Time Traffic Update (https://www.maine.gov/transportation/traffic/updates)
Prepared by the WGME News Desk.
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