Officials not sure if closed Rocky Run Road will reopen

By MARTY VAN DUYNE
Published: May 17, 2008

BEREA — Rocky Run Road in southern Stafford County remains closed due to a road collapse. The gaping hole in the road has effectively cut off through transit from Holly Corner to Berea.

Heavy storms that battered the area in the past week dumping more than six inches of rain put the section of the road that crosses Rocky Pen Run underwater. Due to swift waters that occurred during the torrential downpours, a pipe running under the road washed out, subsequently causing the roadway collapse.

The section of the road that failed is just east of the intersection of Brookview Lane. Rocky Run Road remains open to local traffic from the intersection of Brookview Lane to Holly Corner Road west of the collapse and to Greenbank Road east of the collapse.

According to Virginia Department of Transportation Public Information Officer Tina Bundy officials are still in discussion concerning whether to reopen the road to through traffic.

“Rocky Run Road will be impacted by construction of the new reservoir,” she said, “and therefore is scheduled to be abandoned or relocated.”

With that scenario in place officials are still in discussions and have not yet determined whether it is feasible to proceed with repair to the damaged portion of the road.

Bundy also said that Harrell Road was underwater again Friday morning from the previous night’s rain, but the area of the roadway that passes under the railroad bridge is in a low-lying area. 

“Historically, we have always had to close Harrell Road during high water situations,” she said.

VDOT has had road crews working every day since the May 8 EF 2 tornado that swept across a four-mile stretch of southern Stafford County. With many roads impacted by storm debris and others flooded out by the ensuing rains, they have had a massive chore.

Bundy said, “Our crews have been out in the neighborhood every day and will continue to work as quickly as they can to ensure that roads remain open.”

Marty van Duyne often contributes articles to the Stafford County Sun. Reach her at .