A portion of Interstate 69 near Mortons Gap in Hopkins County is set to remain closed while the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet investigate the cause of the roadway’s gradual sinking.
A portion of the northbound right lane of I-69 at mile marker 111 closed on August 15 because of damages caused by the ground shifting beneath the roadway. When the roadway began sinking and cracking it was thought to be caused by recent heavy rainfall.
Road crews made initial repairs, but the roadway continued to shift. The cabinet has excavated a portion of the embankment near the roadway and have drilled core samples, but the source of the roadway shift has not been determined.
The cabinet shared that underground coal mining occurred in the area which could be affecting the roadway. Drilling work is set to continue until the cause of the sinking is identified.
Photo courtesy of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet