Construction workers take a break inside a giant pipe that is being used to repair the sinkhole at the entrance to Pizza Hut, McDonald's and Harvest Ministries in Wadesboro.

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Repairs are well under way to a massive sinkhole off U.S. 74 East in Wadesboro, at the entrance to McDonald’s, Pizza Hut and Harvest Ministries Outreach Center.

On Sept. 5, construction crews readied to place a massive new pipe under the driveway, to help water more easily flow through the site. The sinkhole first appeared on July 28, after torrential rains hit the area. At that point, the hole was about 20 feet deep, but expanded after more heavy rain on Aug. 10. Since the first appearance of the sinkhole, all three businesses have been closed, and the driveway has been blocked off to motorists.

Joe Mendola, who represents property owner Claude Smith, said he expects the repairs to be finished within a few weeks. “We really anticipate everything being completed in no more than about three weeks, if everything goes right and the weather cooperates,” he said in late August.

Calls to Mendola and representatives of the three businesses were not returned by press time.