Sandy Springs to install inclinometers on Lake Forest Drive after years of rockfall

An unidentified city representative said the city will install a network of inclinometers along the steep slopes bordering Lake Forest Drive to monitor slope movement and send alarms if significant events are detected.

The device deployment aims to reduce the risk of rockfall and mudslides that have, according to the announcement, caused prolonged road closures and traffic disruptions on Lake Forest Drive over the past 15 years. “That is why now a first of its kind project for the city is getting underway to monitor them from the inside,” the speaker said.

City staff described the instruments as inclinometers and said they will track trends in slope movement and trigger alerts to city responders if thresholds are exceeded. “The monitoring devices are, called inclinometers. We'll be able to track trends on, whether the slope is moving or not. And then if there's any significant events, that will also send an alarm to the city,” a second unidentified city representative said.

Installation will require clearing some space on the slope by Mariana Drive. The city said that clearing and installation work should take about three to four days and that there will be a marked detour in place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during those days. City representatives asked for patience while crews work to improve safety on Lake Forest Drive.

Officials said they expect the project to begin within the next month or so and encouraged residents to follow the city's social media channels for updates.

Funding sources, contract awards, and the specific vendor or contractor for the monitoring equipment were not specified in the announcement. The city did not specify who will receive or respond to alarms beyond saying events will send an alarm to the city.