LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP — County Road 5 (Elkins Creek Road) was opened to traffic again late last week after repairs were made to a road slip caused by the May 2 heavy rains and flash flooding.

A 150-foot section of earth under the roadway caved in.

Michelle Collins, administrative assistant with the Lawrence County Engineer’s Office, said workers used 600 feet of steel piling and 100 tons of stone to shore up the broken section of roadway at a cost of approximately $30,000.

The road was closed to traffic and vehicles were detoured over State Route 141 and County Road 8 while the work was done.

“The road is open now but the workers still have to clean and dress it up,” Collins said Friday.

Lawrence County Commissioners Thursday commended the engineer’s office for its work to get the problem corrected.

Michelle Mullins has family members who live on Elkins Creek. She said she has been concerned about the safety of those living in that area while the road was closed.

A fire truck or ambulance could have been delayed in getting to someone in need of help because of having to make the detour.

“It was just a bad situation,” she said. “There are a lot of people who live out there.”