Mining

Extensive surface and deep mining activity has occurred in the U.S. 219 Improvements Project Area. There are approximately 9,689 acres of permitted deep mining within the study area and approximately 15, 043 acres of permitted surface mines. These activities pose unique challenges for the roadway project.

In the Fall of 2003, the Project Team conducted geotechnical investigations to identify significant, favorable and objectionable geotechnical features within the common sections of the alignments. These investigations studied soil types, depth of bedrock, mineral deposit locations (coal seams), and unstable ground conditions (deep mined area) along the various alignments. The field work consisted of logging significant rock outcrops and existing rock cut slopes; drilling 32 test borings; installing equipment to monitor piezometric water levels; and laboratory testing of soil and rock samples. The preliminary geotechnical analysis was completed in the Spring of 2004.

picture of mining The information collected aided the roadway designers by giving them criteria for cut and fill slopes, as well as vital information necessary for construction of bridge abutments. Soil borings also provide information needed to determine if there are areas along the alignment that will need to be stabilized before a roadway can be constructed and will help the team to determine if there are contaminated soils which need to be removed during construction.

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Mining