Construction work on massive cavity expected to last 2 years

CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — Construction work on a 600-foot-deep (183-meter-deep) cavity in Carlsbad began this month as crews re-positioned access routes and brought materials to the site ahead of February's predicted remediation start date.
The Carlsbad Current-Argus reports the Carlsbad Brine Well, located directly underneath the South Y junction of U.S. Highway 285 and U.S. Highway 62/180, was deemed unstable in 2008, and its collapse was estimated to cause potentially $1 billion in damages and litigation.
The Wood Group was contracted earlier this year to design and implement a project to fill the cavity with grout, while pulling out the remaining brine water.
Records show the cavity is 720 feet (219.5 meters) long, 450 feet (137.2 meters) wide, 200 feet (61 meters) deep and lies about 425 feet (129.5 meters) beneath the surface.
Officials expect the entire process to take two years.
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Information from: Carlsbad Current-Argus, http://www.currentargus.com/