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Major roads in Lower Makefield Twp. remain closed 3 days after powerful storm

Drivers are frustrated as major roads remain closed in Lower Makefield Twp. after storm
Drivers are frustrated as major roads remain closed in Lower Makefield Twp. after storm 01:57

LOWER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) -- Major roads in Bucks County are still closed to traffic since that powerful storm hit Saturday. Officials said River Road will remain closed from Embarkation Drive to Mt. Eyre Road.

A road closure on River Road in Lower Makefield Township forced drivers during the morning commute to turn around and find another route.

"It is frustrating," Dr. Kam Patel said.

Now three days since that deadly storm swept across this area, drivers around bucks county are more irritated.

"They've got every artery blocked right now." Bob Savaiano said.

PennDOT officials say the storm left behind huge amounts of debris.

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CBS News Philadelphia.

Crews removed an 80-foot tree from a part of River Road that washed away Monday.

A portion of Washington Crossing Road also remains closed where a bridge became clogged with debris and part of Taylorsville Road, another main artery, is still shut down, too, due to several fallen trees. As crews continue their search for the missing children in that area.

"I'm a doctor and tell my patients that are coming in from far away take extra time," Patel said. "If people have a hard time finding their way we'll tell them to reschedule. We'll accommodate them another time."

Other drivers running errands say the closures have been a big headache.

"It's frustrating because right now I can't figure out how to get where I'm going because River Road is closed, Taylorsville is closed so I thought OK I'll go down and this is closed," Savaiano said."

The Lower Makefield Twp. Police chief says the only drivers allowed to pass through blocked roads are those who live within the area. That means bicyclists and pedestrians are not allowed as crews continue to clear debris.

"PennDOT tells us that they're working very hard to get that open," Chief Kenneth Coluzzi said.

Coluzzi adds River Road reopened late Tuesday afternoon.

"The township road crews have been working nonstop, the police officers have been working around the clock," Coluzzi said.

There's no timeline yet for the other roads to reopen.

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