Sinkhole Repair Continues on Schedule, Says GDOT

Work to repair the massive sinkhole on SR51/Reed Creek Highway in Hart County is moving forward on schedule.

That’s according to Bayne Smith, Georgia DOT District Engineer for Northeast Georgia.

Smith tells WLHR News contractors with E.R. Snell are working closely with Hart County Water and Sewer Authority,

Hart County Telephone, and Comcast Cable to relocate their utility lines from the construction zone to allow for excavation and repair of this sizable sinkhole.

The massive repair work includes creating a dry work area by displacing Lake Hartwell water so the crew has a place to work.

Additionally, crews must remove the damaged galvanized steel pipe which is over 50 years old and corroded.

The collapse of that pipe, Smith says, is what caused the sinkhole.  A new custom coated steel pipe is now being fabricated and will then be installed.  After that, crews will then build up the dirt on top of the pipe to the grade of SR 51, pave the damaged roadway and stripe it.

The sinkhole opened up under Reed Creek Highway on May 6 and was discovered by a motorist who noticed the pavement had sunk several feet.

Once the asphalt was removed, Georgia DOT Engineers found a cavity 10 feet square at the top and 20 feet deep, taking up almost the entire northbound lane.

Smith said Wednesday his office is still shooting for an August 23rd completion date, so long as the weather cooperates.