Bridge near Aneil Davison Road deemed unsafe because of river height.
By: Lacey Korevec
Flooding caused by heavy rain forced the Cranbury Police Department to close Old Trenton Road for approximately four hours at about 10 a.m. March 2.
Nearly 2 inches of rain flooded the Millstone River, making the intersection of Old Trenton and Ancil Davison roads near the bridge hazardous, Cranbury Police Chief Jay Hansen said.
Rain causes the river to overflow in that area at least three times a year, he said.
"That’s a perennial flooding spot," he said. "When it gets a tremendous amount of rainfall, it just leaves its banks."
About eight members of Cranbury’s Community Emergency Response Team volunteered at the scene to help police direct traffic and suggest alternate routes for travelers.
The group was trained to help first responders deal with emergencies. Members finished a training course in the fall that included fire suppression techniques, search and rescue operations, traffic safety and disaster psychology, how to open and maintain an emergency shelter, how to identify terrorist targets and how to treat emergency, life-threatening conditions.
Chief Hansen said it was the first time the new group has been needed.
"They performed exceptionally well," he said. "We’re very pleased with their response and the way they handled it."

