Sand Cove report describes 'continuous periodic movements'

The city of Saint John faces some tough decisions following release of an engineering report that says slope failure in Sand Cove is not going tostop.

The study, byFundy Engineering, describes the area as a "high energy erosion site" with weak unconsolidated soils.

"This cycle will continue to repeat itself," notes author Gordon Mouland.

The report cites an earlier study that showed an average erosion rate in the Sand Cove area of.46 metres per year, but says the rate in any given year can be significantly more or less than that.

The report does not offer a fix to the problem which threatens several homes along with city infrastructure, including water and power lines and Sand Cove Road itself.

Residents are to be briefed on the report at a special meeting Thursday evening.City staff are expected at that time to describe potential next steps.

People living in the area hope the city will fund a further engineering study to examine the possibility a seawall would slow or stop the erosion that contributes to the slope failure.

City councillor Bill Farren says such a study could easily cost $100,000or more.

The city has not budgeted money for the study this year.

The damage eliminated the ability to take additional readings- Report author Gordon Mouland

The current study was launched last January after new slope movement came to the attention of city staff.

Groundwater and slope indicator equipment was installed at that time by Fundy Engineering but ground movement was so dramatic the slope indicator casings were damaged.

"The damage eliminated the ability to take any additional readings," wrote Mouland.

The report says the averaged ground movement from January to July of 2015 was 67.31 centimetresat the beach and 40.38 centimetreson the hill.

It says along with damage to homes "survey property pins, hydro poles and water lines have moved."

It describes the slope failure as "typical" for this coastal setting and says similar conditions exist in the Red Head, Duck Cove and Sea Street areas.