BARTON — Aaron Run Road, which was closed May 17, will be closed for an extended period of time because the road surface is continuing at a reduced rate of subsidence. The subsidence could be due to an old coal mine settling out, according to Jay Moyer, director of the Garrett County Department of Public Works.
“It looks more like a sinkhole now,” said Moyer.
Last week the county engineering staff, the roads division chief and the assistant road chief for the Grantsville Roads Garage met with personnel from the Maryland Department of the Environment Land Management Administration – Mining Program – Bureau of Mines to begin the process of identifying the cause of the subsidence and to determine the course of action that will be needed to repair the damage, according to Moyer. Prior to 1977, deep mining occurred in the area, according to information provided by the bureau. The Federal Bureau of Mines will have a representative on site to do an inspection.
The first portion of the project will entail taking bore samples to determine the total area of the subsidence and depth that will need to be excavated in order to reach a stable base, according to Moyer. The MDE Bureau of Mines is currently arranging to have a drilling rig brought to the site to do test bores. If it’s determined that the affected area is too unstable to allow for the reconstruction of the road at its present location the road may need to be realigned, according to Moyer.
“We hope that the project will begin in the next couple of weeks,” said Moyer. “As of this time we have no idea of the scope of work that will be required to complete the project or the cost. Once the estimated cost has been determined, MDE Bureau of Mines will attempt to provide emergency funding for engineering and the reconstruction costs for the project if funds can be allocated from their 2014 operating budget.”
If funds for the project can’t be allocated, the project may be delayed until the 2015 budget is approved, according to Moyer.
“This may also require county cost share participation. At this time we do not have an estimate as to the amount of work that will be necessary to re-establish the road to its original condition nor the length of time it will take to do the work,” said Moyer.
One Garrett County student has been affected by the road closure and the bus route has been rearranged to accommodate the student.
