Partial collapse of embankment closes backcountry Greenwich road
GREENWICH — An embankment that carries a road over a reservoir partially collapsed Wednesday in backcountry Greenwich, authorities said.
South Stanwich Road, which runs across Rockwood Lake between Taconic Road and North Street, has been closed to traffic. Motorists are asked to avoid the area.
“The state of the crossing over the Aquarion Reservoir on South Stanwich
Road was discovered (Wednesday) night,” said Amy Siebert, town commissioner of public works. “Given the condition of the roadway, it is closed to traffic in both directions at this time.
“It is currently under evaluation; DPW does not have any estimated repair time frame as yet. Emergency services are all aware of this situation,” she said. “We would like to emphasize that the road is closed and appreciate residents staying off of this segment
of roadway.”
The reservoir formed by earthen dam in the backcountry, which dates to 1893, provides drinking
water to the region. Aquarion Water Co. spokesman Peter Fazekas said the road closure and repairs were an issue for the town, not the water company.
There are no potential problems to the water supply from the embankment
failure, he said.
The dam went through an extensive upgrade in 2017, with pumps and control equipment rebuilt, he said. The retaining structures around the body of water were also strengthened.
The cause of the partial collapse has not been immediately determined. The roadway is still functional, but the support structure has visibly eroded.
“It’s an older road, it’s been there for some time,” Emergency Director Dan
Warzoha said. The road in the backcountry is not an especially busy one, he said, but it is advisable to make repairs in a timely manner.
“It’s an important cutthrough for police, fire and EMS,” he noted.
South Stanwich Road connects North Street, near the Babcock Preserve, with Taconic Road, near the Stanwich Congregational Church. The area is just north of the Merritt Parkway.