Clarksburg City Council members say this slip began after the President's Day storm in February of 2003. The hillside has sunken in so far, about a quarter of the road is gone. Residents say every time there's a heavy snow, the problem gets worse.

What's causing the shift? Council member Margaret Bailey says it's hard to tell, but right around this area, is an old underground mine. Bailey believes this slip is a result of air pockets that are causing the ground to shift.

To further complicate the problem, the slip has exposed a major natural gas distribution line in Clarksburg. If the line is ever damaged, it could effect the city's natural gas supply. That's why crews have spent so much time monitoring the problem, trimming trees and removing rubble, just to keep pressure off the ground.

Council members have spent almost two years trying to get the problem fixed. They have put the area up for bid twice before, but say the bids came in over budget.

At this week's meeting, council members plan to award a bid to Mazzo Excavating, Inc., a company based in Nutter Fort. The project's cost is just under $60, 000 dollars. Engineers say the projects is scheduled to begin in May, and will be complete by the end of the summer.