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Sinkhole Forms Near Entrance to UF Health Shands Hospital

A sinkhole opened outside UF Health Shands. (Courtesy of Scott Harris)
A sinkhole opened outside UF Health Shands. (Courtesy of Scott Harris)

Update: Geological engineers will be in the front yard of UF Health Shands Hospital today, to evaluate the sinkhole that opened up in front of the main entrance Sunday morning. No one has been injured and patient care has not been affected, according to UF health officials.

For now, all vehicles are being rerouted to avoid the intersection of Southwest Archer Road and Southwest 16th Street. Alternative patient drop-offs include the UF Dentistry Building, or the UF health Shands Cancer Hospital entrance. Anyone going to the north tower of the hospital should expect delays.

UF Health Shands issued a statement Sunday evening:

Updated: 10:15 p.m., Nov. 15 Earlier today, UF Health officials confirmed the presence of a sinkhole, 5 feet in diameter, in the grassy area near the main entrance of UF Health Shands Hospital. No one has been injured and patient care has not been affected. For the safety of patients, visitors, staff and students, all vehicular traffic is being rerouted away from the intersection of Southwest Archer Road and Southwest 16th Street. Geological engineers will be evaluating the sinkhole tomorrow. Valet parking for patients and visitors will be available at the UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital entrance, which is the first left off of Newell Drive. Patients and visitors can also park in the east garage and walk in through the UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital entrance. Alternative patient drop-off points include the west entrance through the UF Dentistry Building, which is the first right off of Center Drive, or the UF Health Shands Cancer Hospital entrance off of Southwest 16th Street, where patients can cross over to UF Health Shands Hospital via tunnel. We apologize for the inconvenience and everyone coming to the north tower for work, health care, classes or visitation should expect delays. Thank you for your patience. Updates will be posted as available here on Blueprints for Progress .

Scott Harris snapped this photo of the area on Monday morning:

Original Post:
An apparent sinkhole has formed near UF Health Shands Hospital. Emergency response crews were on the scene. We will update this story as more details emerge.

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Contact WUFT News by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news @wuft.org