The sinkhole, filled with gravel, is behind and to the left of the barricade | 2018 file photo

Aug. 13. By Dave Yochum. Old Canal Street, the former home of a persistent sinkhole, was part of the street acceptance vote by the Cornelius Town Board last month.  The Town now maintains all of Old Canal, from Catawba Avenue to South Street.

It was an old problem with what looks like a happy ending.

Five years ago the town said a growing sinkhole on Old Canal in Antiquity was “a dangerous and an imminent threat to the health and safety of the general public and a public nuisance.” The sinkhole, about midway between the Antiquity covered bridge and the shopping area around the Harris Teeter, opened up in the fall of 2018.

Old Canal, which runs along a steep ravine, was closed for months at a time, in part because the sinkhole encroached into the road itself.

If it comes as a surprise that the town took over the 10-year-old street from the developer, there are several steps in the street acceptance process for all developments that help protect the town, according to Town Manager Andrew Grant.

In the case of Old Canal, the town required a 20-year bond on stormwater infrastructure after the sinkhole was repaired four years ago.

The town is holding that bond, so if there are any issues along Old Canal, the town has that available to help cover any repair cost, Grant said.

Prior to acceptance of any road from a real estate developer, town and Mecklenburg County staff inspect all infrastructure that is within the rights-of-way, including sidewalks, stormwater infrastructure, curb and gutter, street trees and even street signs.

The process

Also prior to acceptance, the town requires all storm drain pipes to be videoed.

This video is reviewed by a third-party engineer that identifies deficiencies in the storm drainpipes.

The developer’s engineer will recommend repairs for each problem.

The town reviews these recommendations and if there are concerns with the recommended repairs, this will be noted and discussed with the developer to determine the best solution.

The deficiencies are repaired, and the storm drain repairs are videoed again to show the repairs.

The town requires a 2-year maintenance bond on all infrastructure. The 2-year maintenance bond starts at the time of acceptance.  This requires the developer to repair any sidewalk, road, or stormwater concerns during the 2-year period. A final inspection is done after all items are repaired.

Due to the history, the town required a 20-year bond.