LEADVILLE, Colo. (AP) — Colorado officials hope to repair a deep hole in a mountain highway in time for the USA Pro Challenge bicycle race to use the route as planned.

A 20-foot-wide, 100-foot-deep hole opened beside U.S. 24 over Tennessee Pass on Monday, prompting officials to close a one-mile stretch of the highway in both directions to all vehicles, including bicycles.

The Colorado Department of Transportation said Friday it hopes to award a repair bid by Tuesday and have the hole filled in a month, in time for Stage 4 of the USA Pro Challenge on Aug. 23.

CDOT says the hole opened after soil gave way above an abandoned railroad tunnel.

The inaugural USA Pro Challenge last year attracted more than 1 million spectators. Organizers hope to nearly double that this year.

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