Houston traffic: East Freeway sinkhole expected to cause dayslong shutdown

HOUSTON - TxDOT is warning drivers that a days-long shutdown is expected for Houston's East Freeway due to a sinkhole.

Houston traffic: East Freeway sinkhole, shutdown

What we know:

I-10 East Freeway eastbound at Federal Road is closed off, and one westbound lane is impacted, according to the City of Houston.

According to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, there is a water leak under the roadway and that is what caused the sinkhole on the left shoulder. Crews are on the scene.

Drivers are urged to find alternate routes as delays should be expected. 

TxDOT now tells FOX 26 that parts of the freeway could be closed off for several days.

Officials say the waterline issue has to be fixed first before the highway can be repaired.

What we don't know:

TxDOT did not give an estimated date for the freeway to fully reopen.