The Historical Society went to take a look at the damage.
LEEDS – A section of River Road collapsed early Thursday night leaving behind a crater 15 feet deep and 12 feet wide.

Joan Mitchell, who has lived in the area for 18 years, said water began washing over the road about 3 p.m. Three hours later, an old stone culvert beneath the road finally gave way and the pavement collapsed, she said.

“It was unreal,” Mitchell said. “There was a car on one side and a truck on the other. They both stopped and the road collapsed between them. They were both very lucky.”

Mitchell said the stone culvert has been in use for decades. She didn’t know how old it was, but the local Historical Society sent representatives out Thursday night to take a look at the damage.

Mitchell and others went outside to watch as the road began to collapse about 6 p.m. A cascade of water was flowing on one side of the road.

“We were standing there in awe watching it collapse,” Mitchell said.

She contacted the Fire Department, which responded to block off the road around the damage. A road crew was notified and repairs were expected to begin Friday. The section of road that collapsed is near the Twin Bridges, Mitchell said. People who live in the area can get around the site by using Church Hill Road, but it will mean a longer trip.

Mitchell said she has photographs of the stone culvert while it was still standing and after the road gave way on Thursday.

“It just compressed over the years,” she said. “Finally, it just collapsed.”
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