Date:
Friday, June 22, 2007
Contact:
Erin Bogenschutz, WSDOT Communications 206.440.4697
Marlin Lenssen, Project Engineer, 425.225.8770
INDEX – Washington State Department of Transportation crews filled a small sinkhole on US 2 just east of Index and reopened the westbound lane to drivers tonight. Crews closed the westbound lane earlier this morning immediately after discovering the sinkhole on the highway within the project limits of an on-going slide repair.
Crews finished the repairs just before 8 p.m. tonight. They began work around 11:45 a.m. this morning. The sinkhole was found in the same location as the sinkhole that crews found on April 22. However, according to WSDOT Chief Inspector Pat Mallahan today's sinkhole was substantially smaller at only two feet wide and two feet deep.
“The road continues to be safe for drivers,” said Mallahan. “Our crews are doing a great job of keeping an eye on the roads, finding and fixing problems before they become large hazards.”
During the closure crews excavated the ground around the hole and discovered that water was still seeping into the ground under the road, causing the earth to settle. Crews removed saturated soil and any other unsuitable material and replaced it with gravel. They then compacted the gravel and paved over the hole. Crews alternated traffic each way during the work.
Last month, geotechnical engineers visited the site to look for potential sinkholes with ground penetrating radar. They reported that there was very little potential for major sinkholes. This is likely one of the minor anomalies they saw.
The situation in Snohomish County began as an emergency in November when record-breaking rain overburdened the aging drainage system and undermined the roadway and caused the eastbound lane to sink more than seven feet.
In January, WSDOT hired contractors to perform emergency road repairs. They built a 40-foot soil nail wall that stabilized the hillside under the road. However, a sinkhole was discovered on April 22, leading to intermittent emergency closures and weight restrictions.
Crews are waiting for a permit to install a new culvert and complete the emergency repair. That could start as early as late August. Meanwhile, engineers are currently designing a permanent fix for the area that is scheduled for construction in 2008.
www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/US2/SunsetLandslide/
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