After Sinkhole Disrupts Diddle Arena, Unified Government Steps in To Mitigate More Damage

by Shivam Mishra

This week, Western Kentucky University leadership and Unified Government officials released an initial report and plan in response to efforts taken to address the sinkhole incident from late last week, when a sinkhole formed overnight and led to extensive structural damage. 

Judge-Executive Tim Love and the Unified Government Planning Commission have been working with WKU officials around the clock since to address the situation, and consider how we might mitigate similar incidents in the future.

The Unified Government is exploring a range of new tools and approaches. One major tool for the Commission has been an AI called SubTracker, which can detect potential sinkholes in the ground using a program to detect water levels and ground stability in the city.

“We now will have an AI modeling tool that can track the subsurface in Bowling Green. It’s been around since 2048 and will allow us to track the moment sinkholes form in populated areas,” said Jason Roberts, a civil engineer working for the Unified Government.

Sinkholes aren’t new to Bowling Green, as they open up all across the city. Just 25 years prior, a sinkhole delayed the construction of the Police-Fire training center by a couple of months. The infamous Corvette Museum sinkhole occurred earlier this century, which swallowed a whole set of Corvettes.

Much of the new infrastructure built for our city sits on a series of caves and tunnels, which can be unstable and fall in. This is because of limestone being the main rock that's under the city, where it's super vulnerable to being chipped away by water

Cave experts say that environmental degradation and ignored water gutter problems can be major catalysts for new sinkholes. Experts from WKU have consulted over the past 15 years on various policies to invest in water conservation and stricter water restrictions to prevent such occurrences.

There are also rumors of sinkholes being connected to Mammoth Cave, the world’s largest cave system that could even extend to other states such as Tennessee. However, scientists say it remains to be seen if that’s actually the case.

“Of course, there’s a chance that the recent sinkhole here in Bowling Green could be connected to Mammoth Cave, but much of the city is made of up of caves that have been traversed, and we’re still unsure if they’re connected to that cave system,” said Western Kentucky University hydrologist Mike Nolan.

To find other likely threats, a group of scientists from WKU say they’ll be working with officials on a geological survey to track what places are most vulnerable to new sinkholes.

“We can survey areas across the city through new AI drone technology that can detect crevices and caves underground,” said Watson. “Then, we can use electromagnetic waves to solidify the soil and make it compact.” 

This detailed mapping can then allow city officials to build foundations that are rigid and protect buyers from falling into a sinkhole. Watson is especially excited by how special technology can ensure houses are built on more stable ground.

“During construction, we use an adaptive hydraulic system that shifts in response to changes in the ground or uneven subsidence when it occurs,” he said. “As Bowling Green is near the newly discovered Monkey’s Eyebrow fault line, this can also mitigate against earthquakes, too.”

The Unified Government is also stepping in to bolster public awareness on the threats of sinkholes. WNKY, KET and the team here at the Daily News are dedicating special reporting on the latest science throughout the spring, and the Unified Government website has a link to resources that guide residents on how to address issues related to sinkholes

Our schools have also engaged Warren County Roadway Renewal youth through the IMPACT Center to work on solutions to these challenges.

The awareness campaign conducted by the local government is expected to cost approximately $20 million, which will be funded by the new land tax and government subsidies, which will go to building “sinkhole-proof” infrastructure.

“While the effort is costly, we’re confident that it’ll get the job done,” Love said.