Sinkhole increases to 40 feet in Tennessee

By smadi66 — Published: May 2, 2015

Construction crews at Austin Peay State University’s Governors Stadium in Tennessee uncovered and expanded a sinkhole that initially measured about 3 feet by 5 feet. During renovations to replace the main stadium building, workers discovered the subsurface collapse near the end zone where the field meets the track.

As crews investigated and worked to fill the void, the excavation grew to roughly 40 feet deep and 40 feet wide in order to reach stable bedrock and properly remediate the area. The larger excavation was necessary to ensure a safe and lasting repair before construction continued.

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“We’re not going to skip any steps,” said Mike Jenkins, superintendent for Nashville-based Bell & Associates Construction, emphasizing that crews were taking a methodical approach to find a solid foundation before backfilling.

The sinkhole occurred amid a larger stadium renovation project and required geotechnical assessment and careful excavation. Workers continued controlled digging and stabilization efforts to prepare the site for reconstruction.