There are more road problems in Pike County Missouri

MO-DOT has closed Route 79 near Ashburn to drivers for the second time in two years, because the road is giving way again.  Last year the highway was closed for about two months while crews repaired the collapse just south of Ashburn.

Mark Giessinger, MODOT District Maintenance and Traffic Engineer said, "Last Tuesday we noticed a crack forming.  We patched the roadway and monitored it fairly closely. Then Sunday the roadway dropped 9 inches."

That drastic drop prompted MODOT officials to close the road to keep drivers safe. This new problem area is just about 150 feet away from the area that crews had to fix last year.

Why is this area so volatile?

Giessinger said, "It's a very tall hill. The roadway is cut into the side halfway up.  The hill is made of shale.  As we have extended periods of rainfall, the shale becomes soft and mushy and things start moving when that happens."

Because of this combination of factors, MODOT has had to keep a close eye on about six different spots along this area of highway for 30 years. But heavy rains this year and last year are taking their toll. And after last year's road closure, MODOT has been even more vigilant.

Since then, MODOT installed mechanical devices in blue tubes along this cliff on Highway 79. These devices track the movement of the hillside.

Monday Geologists were on the scene, measuring the hillside to determine how best to resolve the issues here. The number one plan on the drawing board right now is the same remedy from last year, tearing out the road and rebuilding it. That cost $250 thousand. But MODOT officials say it's worth it to keep roads open and drivers safe.

Highway 79 at Route B to Route double T is closed until further notice.