Sinkhole closes portion of M-86

Michigan Department of Transportation officials said a sinkhole on a state route between Colon and Coldwater has forced agency officials to close a stretch of the roadway.

M-86 is closed between Batavia Road and U.S. 12 until further notice, the Branch County Sheriff’s Department said.

The highway remained closed Wednesday as road officials worked to replace and repair the section of highway. MDOT officials said a broken irrigation casing that has been in place since the 1970s, sprung a leak and contributed to the sinkhole.

Road commission officials hope the work will be complete by the end of this week, though timing depends on receiving needed materials.