Cambria Cave work comes to halt
New void needs to be inspected; meanwhile, 3D map now available.
Construction to re-enclose Cambria Cave in Williamson County halted last week after workers found a void abutting the cave.
The work to close the cave and rebuild Cambria Drive and Ephraim Road in the Brushy Creek neighborhood was stopped to comply with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regulations, said county spokeswoman Connie Odom.
Cambria Cave was found in February after a water leak in the Brushy Creek subdivision caused a 20-foot sinkhole to develop on a sidewalk. Neighbors were surprised when they found out a four-chamber cave had been under them all along.
TCEQ spokesman Brian McGovern said the county notified the state Wednesday of the additional void found during construction. He said the commission also received a complaint alleging that contractors were using materials not outlined in the plan approved by the commission.
Both TCEQ and environmental consultants have been inspecting the void. That analysis will determine whether construction can continue, Odom said.
People can get an inside look at the 200-foot portion of the cave that was discovered in February now that engineers have completed 3D mapping of the expanse.
Williamson County officials said engineers used a system that relies on thousands of data points to create a panoramic image of the cave.
“The technology is quite incredible. You can get a view of the cave as if you are standing inside of it and looking around,” county engineer Terron Evertson said.
Odom said engineers offered to map the cave for a nominal fee. A Trimble SX10 scanner — a highly technical piece of equipment used by surveyors — provided the 3D map.
Engineers were able to map only the first two chambers due to limited access and space in the other chambers, the county said.
In addition to the 3D mapping,