Swollen Creek Washes Out Major Road In Contra Costa County
PINOLE (CBS SF) -- A major road through Contra Costa County has been damaged and made impassable because of the recent storms.
An entire section of Alhambra Valley Road in Pinole was washed out by a swollen creek Tuesday between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., according to a county public works spokesperson.
Pinole Creek crosses Alhambra Valley Road just east of Castro Ranch road. The public works spokesperson said a pipe under the roadway allowed the creek to flow on either side of the road.
Because of the unrelenting rain, the water pressure through the pipe was too forceful. The pipe gave way and the powerful stream of water washed out the entire two-lane roadway.
Fortunately no one tried to drive across the washed-out road in the dark after the collapse Tuesday evening.
"Our crews were out here dealing with mudslides when they stumbled upon this," said Joe Yee with the Contra Costa County Deputy of Public Works.
Berkeley resident Ray Martinez told KPIX 5 he rides his bike along Alhambra Valley Road often.
"It's a cruel reminder that nature can be underestimated at times," said Martinez.
There was no immediate estimate on when the road would be repaired, with a statement from the county administrator's office saying the road would be closed indefinitely.