STELLARTON – A section of Foord Street near Sobeys head office was closed temporarily yesterday, after a sinkhole was discovered underneath the street in the northbound lane early in the morning.
The size of the hole wasn’t immediately apparent, as it only broke through a small gap in the asphalt. Town engineer Tony Addis described it as being circular, approximately 10-12 feet in diameter and about 20 feet deep.
The sinking earth there also exposed a section of a sewer main, however, Addis said there was no damage to it.
Once the area was barricaded, town works crews filled it in with rock.
Addis said municipal officials will keep an eye on the area as it’s possible the sinkhole could settle further.
“We intend to monitor this one closely,” he said.
Given Stellarton’s history of sub-surface mining, sinkholes do occur from time to time. Addis said he’s come across about five of significance – including another on Foord Street near the cenotaph – working for the municipality.