Construction to prevent Carlsbad sinkhole to begin in August

Work to fill a giant, man-made cavern that is on the verge of collapse in southern New Mexico is expected to begin in August.

The Carlsbad Current-Argus reports the state hired the engineering company Amec Foster Wheeler last month to design and implement the project to shore up the brine well on the edge of Carlsbad.

Amec is planning to drill 26 boreholes around the site and pump in grout to stabilize the ground and seal the underground cavity.

The project plans are expected to be finalized by July with work to begin the next month. Construction is expected to be completed by January 2021. Amec will continue to monitor the site for nearly two years.

The backfill project is estimated to cost about $43 million.