Sinkholes force Stone Ave. closure

 
Students and faculty have noticed sinkholes appearing on Southern University’s campus at the intersection of Jesse N. Stone Avenue and Elton C. Harrison Drive within the last month.   
The area of Jesse N. Stone Avenue between W.W. Stewart Hall and Seymour Gymnasium has been blocked off for most of the semester because of the sink holes appearing.
Eli Guillory III, executive director of facility services, has been adamant that they are aware of the problem.
“Back in 1948 the existing water piping system failed in that particular area due to age of underground piping,” Guillory said.
He said a new piping system was designed in 1948 and installed in 1949.
Guillory said that most of the problems were created because of the large volume of traffic in that area.
“A large volume of traffic and heavy vehicles have caused it to fail,” Guillory said.
He said some of those pipes are two to three feet below the street surface.
Guillory explained how when the physical problems arrived.
“It started having stress cracks within last 2 years, but it was difficult to find the exact location,” Guillory said.
He said it started giving out over the year and a month ago and started caving in.
Guillory said the project had to be delayed because of the homecoming activities.
“We slowed the process up because of homecoming, and the contractor has to get all their numbers together and mobilize for construction.
Guillory described the process that has to take place to fix problem.
“Five contractors will come out to provide price to have issue corrected,” Guillory said.
He said the bids will be open this week, and will be awarded to lowest bidder.
“The project has been budgeted around $200,000,” said Guillory.
He said they will provide a timeframe of how long project will take.
Guillory said it is hard to know about underground issues.
“Never know of underground conditions because their unseen,” Guillory said.
Jerald Williams, instructor in the health and education department said the blocking of that part Stone has caused issues.
“Parking, traveling to and from which is making traffic come from behind Seymour at faster rate,” Williams said.
He said the speed of traffic cutting through Seymour parking lot has been risky and could lead to a serious accident to occur.
Joyce Polk, adjunct professor in the health department, said she has had some inquiries about this problem.
“I was wondering during football game because it a inconvenience for visitors, for students, and it needs to be fixed,” Polk said.
She said she has yet to receive any information about the problem from the administration.
Guillory expects university personnel to provide assistance in locating problems on campus.
“Be cognizant of problems to let them know so they can rectify the problems,” Guillory said.
Bids for the project were opened Wednesday, however Guillory was unavailable for comment regarding who won the contract.