A large section of Ronald Reagan Boulevard that has been sliding toward a gravel quarry in Cumming has slowed its movement, but quarry officials can't determine whether or not this means the big section of Earth has stablized. The Forsyth County engineering department had closed about one-half mile of the Boulevard on December 3rd, when noticeable cracks were observed in the road.

QORE Property Sciences of Duluth, a geotechnical and environmental engineering firm, has been retained by the County to see if its scientists can predict what's going to happen. QORE scientists should be on the job by week's end. Although County Manager, Jeff Quesenberry, has been meeting with Lafarge, the quarry operator, the county felt that an independent assessment was needed.

County officials aren't sure what triggered the ground movement and were hoping that the slower slide was good news -- that the slab was settling down. However, the subterranean ground could be piling up on itself and increasing pressure against the wall of the quarry. And if it gives way, a landslide, or even an earthquake, could occur.

Options are being considered, including dynamiting a portion of Ronald Reagan Boulevard near the quarry to relieve pressure. However, several parties would have to sign off on this solution, including Lafarge officials and appropriate state and federal agencies.

According to Lafarge officials, the reason for the slower rate of movement to the ground is due to its drying out. But with the rain we're experiencing, movement could be accelerated again.