HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL PR 2017-10-13 Exeter sinkhole excavation
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release
October 13, 2017
Media Contact:
Betsy Arnett, Public Information Officer
barnett@leesburgva.gov 703-771-2734
No Evidence of Karst Formation Found in Latest Exeter
Sinkhole
Pavement collapse due to soil settlement and compaction.
Leesburg, VA (October 13, 2017) – The geologist
hired by the Town of Leesburg to evaluate the
presumed sinkhole on Jared Square NE, in
Leesburg’s Exeter neighborhood, has
determined that it is not, in fact, a sinkhole.
“Based on the drilling test results completed
yesterday, we began full excavation of the
sinkhole this morning,” explains Renée
LaFollette, Leesburg’s Director of Public Works
and Capital Projects. “Bob Denton, the geologist
with GeoConcepts Engineering, has been on site
during the excavation and agrees there is no
evidence of karst-related formations that are
indicative of sinkholes.”
According to LaFollette, the pavement collapse was due to soil settlement over time and was
precipitated by last weekend’s heavy rain following a long dry spell. The Town plans to fill the
excavated area with structural rock overlaid with geotextile fabric before reinstalling the utility
lines and backfilling with soil. LaFollette expects to have the work completed by the end of next
week.
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