HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL PR 2015-08-19 Exeter Sinkhole Filled Temporarily
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release Media Contact:
Betsy Fields, Research & Communications Manager
bfields@leesburgva.gov 703-771-2734
Exeter Sinkhole Repairs Continue
Permanent repairs will be made after geotechnical analysis is completed.
Leesburg, VA (August 19, 2015) – The sinkhole on Currant Terrace NE in the Exeter
neighborhood will be filled today in preparation for expected rain this evening and tomorrow.
According to Renée LaFollette, the Town’s Director of Public Works and Capital Projects, the fill
is a temporary measure to prevent rain water from enlarging the sinkhole or further damaging
utility lines.
“Once we have the geotechnical analysis done to determine if other underground voids exist,
we’ll proceed with a permanent solution, including installation of new manholes for the
sanitary sewer line and restoration of the water line, as well as replacing the pavement,”.
LaFollette explained.
The Town is in the process of contracting with an engineering firm to perform the geotechnical
analysis and hopes to have the analysis completed within the next week. After the final report
on the analysis is received, Town staff will finalize the repair strategy, with the expectation of
completing final repairs to the sinkhole by the end of the month.
“Initially, we had hoped to have the geotechnical analysis completed this week,” explained
LaFollette. “However, the equipment needed is very specialized and its availability is driving our
schedule at this point.”
Currently, all residents initially affected by the sinkhole have had water service restored. Two
rows of townhomes still do not have access to their parking courts and will not have access
until permanent repairs to the pavement are made.
Town staff are monitoring the area surrounding the sinkhole for further ground movement and
report that there has been no additional subsidence since Monday. Town staff and the Exeter
HOA Board of Directors continue to work closely together to complete the repairs.
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