Several Franklin County homes blocked off after road washes out

VDOT hopes to have way for residents to get in, out by end of day

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. – Several homes are cut off after a road was washed out in Franklin County. 

According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, Route 939, also known as Menefee Road, has been washed out, cutting off four to seven homes. 

A massive hole left by the heavy rain on Sunday night is 8 to 10 feet deep and will cost between $75,000 to $100,000 to repair. Both pipes need to be replaced.

"It's the main culvert pipe that carries the water across the road and it's two lines of 60-inch pipes that failed and is washed out. Now we are going back in with the same size," said Stephen Lynch, the VDOT Superintendent for Franklin County.

The hole is being handled by VDOT and outside contractor, Ameripumps LLC. 

"The biggest challenge right now is the weather and they have called for more storms this afternoon, tonight and tomorrow. We are going to be working here tonight to try and get at least one-way traffic in and out,” said Lynch.

Storm 10 Team said an estimated 2 inches of rain fell last night in the area. And due to the large amount of rain that has fallen this past month, the ground is already very saturated and fit to create this crater.

"We are trying to get it dry now. Once we get the water off of us, we will start working and take out sections and get the traffic back," said Lynch.

While sitting just 100 yards away from the pit, a neighbor told Ten News this is not the first time the pipe has burst. The neighbor believes this is the third or fourth time it has been replaced. 

VDOT is performing emergency repairs along the road, which is located off Pleasant Hill Road, and it hopes to have a temporary entrance and exit to and from the road by the end of the day. 

As repairs continue, VDOT anticipates that the road will have to be closed periodically.