The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has closed Route 653, also known as Sycamore Ridge Road, in Old Hollow, Rappahannock County. This decision follows heavy rainfall that led to the failure of a stormwater pipe under the road. The region experienced over seven inches of rain from storms affecting the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Route 653 is currently inaccessible near its intersections with Route 612 (Swindler Hollow Road) and Pickeral Ridge Road. While private entrances on either side remain accessible, through traffic is halted until the pipe can be replaced. However, repairs are contingent upon water levels receding, and there is no current timeline for when this work will commence.
The storm’s impact was widespread across VDOT’s Culpeper District, initially closing nearly 60 roads across nine counties. As of this morning, 37 roads remain closed, including five within Rappahannock County.
For ongoing updates regarding road conditions in VDOT’s Culpeper District, information is available on X.com/VaDOTCulp and the Culpeper District Facebook page. Additionally, real-time traffic conditions can be accessed via the 511Virginia website or through the free VDOT 511 mobile app. Residents may also call 511 from any phone within Virginia for travel information.
