Post by L Roebuck on Oct 14, 2005 7:05:05 GMT -5
Sinkhole Shuts Down Highway 68
OAK RIDGE-A sinkhole, estimated by one DOT worker to be “big enough to drop a pickup truck into,” was found along a heavily traveled section of Highway 68 near Alcorn Road in Oak Ridge on Oct. 12. The sinkhole was serendipitously located by a member of the Oak Ridge Fire Department as they assisted the DOT in cleaning up a fuel spill from earlier in the day.
Although the hole appeared about 2 feet in diameter and was located between the pavement and a guardrail, what was underneath was much more menacing. The hole had likely been there for some time, but recent heavy rains washed away enough soil to allow workers to see the cavern beneath the road.
At first, one lane of the highway, was closed. As evening rush-hour traffic snarled, officials closed the road altogether to allow heavy equipment to dig up the pavement so the hole could be filled in.
Crews reportedly worked through the night so the highway could be opened for morning traffic. They put a temporary patch on the road, then planned to close the road later the following day to make permanent repairs.
The Northwest Observer
www.nwobserver.com/articles/2005/10/13/local_news/news_briefs/0anewssinkhole.txt
OAK RIDGE-A sinkhole, estimated by one DOT worker to be “big enough to drop a pickup truck into,” was found along a heavily traveled section of Highway 68 near Alcorn Road in Oak Ridge on Oct. 12. The sinkhole was serendipitously located by a member of the Oak Ridge Fire Department as they assisted the DOT in cleaning up a fuel spill from earlier in the day.
Although the hole appeared about 2 feet in diameter and was located between the pavement and a guardrail, what was underneath was much more menacing. The hole had likely been there for some time, but recent heavy rains washed away enough soil to allow workers to see the cavern beneath the road.
At first, one lane of the highway, was closed. As evening rush-hour traffic snarled, officials closed the road altogether to allow heavy equipment to dig up the pavement so the hole could be filled in.
Crews reportedly worked through the night so the highway could be opened for morning traffic. They put a temporary patch on the road, then planned to close the road later the following day to make permanent repairs.
The Northwest Observer
www.nwobserver.com/articles/2005/10/13/local_news/news_briefs/0anewssinkhole.txt