BETHEL — A section of Pine Grove Road in the Town of Bethel is now reopened after having been closed for eight months. The road had been detoured since September due to damage caused by Tropical Storm Ida.

The culvert pipe under Pine Grove Road had collapsed, impacting the area between Lakeview Drive, Mountain Lakes Road and Lake Shore Drive. The town determined that closing the road was the most prudent step for the safety of all residents and travelers.

Town Supervisor Daniel Sturm and Town Highway Superintendent Robert Bonnaci announced on Thursday that, while some minor additional work still needs to be done, the road will now remain open.

“I would like to thank the Highway Superintendent and the Highway Department employees for their hard work, as well as Gary Myer’s and his crew for getting it done in a timely fashion,” Supervisor Sturm said. “The winter was tough which did delay the work, but the safety of the public using the road has always been our top priority.”

According to Sturm, the project cost over $450,000 and will be fully funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Town officials said the $450,000 project to repair the road and culvert, seen here Monday morning, will be fully funded by FEMA.