DOTD installs new equipment near sinkhole

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - Transportation officials said enhanced monitoring equipment has been installed near the giant sinkhole in southeast Louisiana to better detect any changes.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) said the new equipment was placed along LA 70 in Assumption Parish. According to DOTD, the improvements will provide broader observation and greater accuracy in measuring movement in the area.

Officials said the devices include tilt and accelerometer sensors on the bridges over Bayou Corne, Grand Bayou and Bayou Choupique. Shaped-Accelerator Arrays (SAA) are also located within the highway right-of-way and at the two closest bridge locations.

They added three Continuously Operating GPS Reference Stations (CORS) have been installed for automated, continuous monitoring near all three bridges. Those are expected to be fully functional by the end of June. A fourth station is planned on private property along the LA 70 right-of-way and a fifth is available for deployment as needed.

According to DOTD, the initial capital cost is $1.7 million. Operation and maintenance are expected to cost $230,000 per year. DOTD reported all costs are to be reimbursed by Texas Brine.

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