Sinkhole Closes Second Lane On I-65, March 2010

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We think we know what and who caused the sinkhole ALDOT: Vulcan Materials.

The News-Courier
Athens, Alabama
March 17, 2010

Sinkhole prompts closing of 2nd northbound lane of I-65
By Jean Cole

— A large sinkhole has triggered the closing of a second lane of Interstate 65.

Beginning at 9 a.m., Thursday, northbound traffic on I-65 will be rerouted by order of the state Department of Transportation.

The two northbound lanes will be closed from Exit 318 (Vinemont/Lacon) to Exit 334 (Decatur/Priceville) until further notice, said State Trooper spokesman Curtis Summerville. Only the outside lane was closed Tuesday.

The sinkhole is at the 329.9-mile marker, he said.

Northbound traffic will detour at Exit 318 to U.S. 31 and travel north to Falkville, Hartselle and Decatur to Alabama 67. Traffic will then turn right and continue south on Alabama 67 until it connects with I-65 at Exit 334, where it will reopen for northbound traffic, Summerville said.

All I-65 northbound entrance ramps between the 318 and 334-mile markers — including Exit 322 (Falkville), Exit 325 (Thompson Road) and Exit 328 (Hartselle/Alabama 36) — will be closed, he said.

State troopers are encouraging motorist to drive with caution and do not attempt to remove or travel around any barricades. Motorists with cell phones may dial *HP (*47) toll-free to report roadway emergencies to the nearest state trooper post.
(end of story)

How much do you think this cost not only the Alabama taxpayers, but all the commerce that depends on this highway to deliver goods and services?

There are examples of this everywhere quarries operate. Millions of dollars wasted to repair what they do to roads, highways, railroads and buildings.

They never pay one thin dime of it.

This is the "prosperity" quarries bring in.....
WHNT pictures of sinkhole work 

Note the picture of one sinkhole, compare that to to how wide they excavated in the WHNT picture gallery. What you see on top of the ground can be much smaller than what the actual sinkhole size is:
Huntsville Times

Video link with story.