More Flooding on the Bronx River Parkway

For the second time this week heavy rain has caused the Bronx River parkway to close. Today, Friday March 11, the Parkway is flooded from the split with the Sprain Brook Parkway all the way up to Virginia Road in White Plains. Over 2.8 inches of rain fell on Thursday night into Friday morning causing extensive flooding. On Monday March 7 three inches of rain fell the previous night and caused the Bronx River to overflow and spill onto the roadway.These photos are taken from the overpass at Greenacrs Avenue where both the north and the south sides of the parkway are flooded.

According the Westchester County Police nothing can be done to alleviate the flooding. They are simply waiting for Mother Nature to take its course and waiting for the water to recede. A spokesman for the County Safety Department claimed that inadequate storm drains are just part of the problem and Scarsdale's Deputy Village Manager Stephen Pappalardo agrees. The Bronx River is filled with silt and therefore has limited capacity to capture excess water.  Dredging the river to remove the silt is an environmental concern as it would upset the ecological system and wildlife.  In addition, with increased development there is reduced impervious surfaces in the areas above the river, further exacerbating the flooding.

In the meantime, traffic is sure to be snarled in Westchester on Friday as drivers will need to avoid the flooded parkways and take alternative routes.