County says sinkhole repairs could take weeks

HALL COUNTY, Ga. — It could take up to two weeks to finish repairs on a Hall County road damaged by heavy rains.

County officials said storms three weeks ago washed out a metal drainage pipe from Stoney Creek Drive in Flowery Branch.  Cascading rainwater ate away parts of the road leading to a cul-de-sac.  Residents fear the washout could take their street and isolate them from the rest of town.

Hall County Engineer Kevin McInturff said his crews stabilized the ground under the road by building a small concrete dam around the washout, keeping rainwater from cascading down into the hole.  They installed three long pipes that collect the rainwater and steer it down into the creek below.

"We've been coming out at least two times a day," said McInturff.  "Today, it's three times.  During the rain, probably four times a day to check on it and checking the edge of the road and making sure it's not breaking off any farther."

McInturff said no one had a replacement pipe in stock, so they had to build one from scratch.  Because the new pipe is concrete, they have to wait about two more weeks for the concrete to reach its proper strength before they can install it.

Meanwhile, county officials said they sent residents of the cul-de-sac letters explaining the issue and the repair process.

WSBTV