Portion of Sunbeam Road washes out

Published 11:33 am Monday, October 4, 2010

NEWSOMS—Officials with Virginia Department of Transportation today plan to assess the damage to a portion of Sunbeam Road, which was washed out in two places after a pond overflowed from last week’s 14 inches of rain.

“The pond overflowed and washed it out and cut it in half,” said Jerry Kee, residency maintenance program manager for VDOT in Franklin.

The section of Sunbeam Road that was damaged lies between Sandy Ridge and Riverdale roads, Kee said. The damage is believed to have occurred between Thursday night and Friday morning. VDOT was notified Friday.

Kee also understands the area around a nearby bridge was washed out.

“We’re having the bridge people look at that,” he said.

Road-closed signs have been posted and detours have been set up.

It’s too early to say how long it will take to repair and reopen the road, Kee said.