Study: Highway Sinkhole Risk is Low at Oxford
A geotechnical study for sinkholes around the Oxford section of the Trans-Canada Highway says the risk is low provided the province offers continual monitoring and preventive action.
The study found the province must regularly monitor for ground movement and take measures to control water run off on the highway and nearby ramps.
“Keeping the travelling public safe is our number one job,” said Lloyd Hines, Minister of Transportation. “We are moving immediately on the recommendations in the report by improving ditching and also by strengthening our monitoring program.”
However, the MLA for the area says a long silence from the minister led to fears in the community. Tory Rushton says, “I’m pleased to see the Liberal government has finally released the study.” He added, “The presence of the Department of Transportation in the area over the last few days has caused concern and panic for some residents in the area, who felt misled about the work being done. Why the minister has withheld the report for almost ten months is beyond me.”
The study, conducted by Harbourside Geotechnical Consultants, examined subsurface soil and rock conditions along and beneath the highway west of Exit 6. It found deposits that can dissolve in water, such as gypsum, are prevalent in the area, but were deep underground.
The study focused on a 500 metre section of Highway 104 just south of the Town of Oxford and included included laser imagery, topographic and geological mapping, aerial photos, the drilling of six boreholes, and lab analysis of the core samples.
The study concluded the area is more likely to experience gradual settling of the ground surface than a sudden collapse.
The department will also develop a contingency plan to be followed if subsidence is observed near the highway and ramps.
The photos show workers at the highway site on Monday, September 29th.
The study is available at, https://novascotia.ca/tran/roadsafety/NSTIR-Oxford-Hwy-104-Sinkhole-Investigation.pdf.
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