Rain damage forces closure of Route 14 west of Harrington

Route 14 (Vernon Road) at Prospect Branch (Photo: Google maps)
Route 14 (Vernon Road) at Prospect Branch (Photo: Google maps)

HARRINGTON, DELAWARE (10/11/2016) Sinkholes caused by heavy rain have forced the closure of a section of Route 14 (Vernon Road) west of Harrington, the Delaware Department of Transportation said Monday.

The bridge over Prospect Branch, between Fox Hunters Road and Whitelysburg Road, developed sinkholes on the shoulders and under the eastbound lane where an existing pipe was deteriorating, DelDOT said.

Replacement of the pipe is planned as soon as the water level recedes.

Nearly 3 inches of rain fell in the area over the weekend.

Detour

Westbound: Route 14/Vernon Road traffic will travel west on Whiteleysburg Road turning south on Fox Hunters Road and return to Route 14/Vernon Road.

Eastbound: Traffic on Route 14/Vernon Road will travel north on Fox Hunters Road turning east onto Whiteleysburg Road and back to Route 14/Vernon Road.