How many times has the state-owned Rte. 106 Bridge become a dam flooding Felchville and damaging homes? Three times since 1973.

In July 2023, the north branch of the Black River became a powerful torrent that quickly jammed rocks and trees in the bridge opening turning it into a dam once again. This forced the river to jump its banks wiping out the road on both sides of the river. It quickly flooded several homes with water and mud and eventually turned the hayfield south of the bridge into a vast lake. The same thing happened in 2011 after Tropical storm Irene.

Within seven months from the July storm, the town replaced the jammed Grasshopper culvert with a new precast concrete bridge with an opening at least three times the size of the failed culvert and repaired the Archer St Bridge.

So, why in 50 years has the State's highway division done nothing to install a larger bridge that would mitigate flood damage in the village?

Find out Wednesday< May 22 @ 6:00pm when the State's Chief Highway Engineer Jeremy Reed reports to the Reading Select Board.

Event Info

Jun 19, 2024, 5 to 7:30 PM

Jun 22, 2024, 10 AM to 2 PM

Jun 23, 2024, 10 AM