BETHEL PARK (KDKA) — A major water main break created a mess and caused some headaches for commuters as it shut down two T stops as well as a busy stretch of road this morning in Bethel Park.

It couldn’t have happened at a worse time or place.

Aroung 7 a.m., a 12-inch Penn American water main blew out on Route 88, right by the T tracks. It cut service and delayed riders.

“I called Port Authority and they told me I have to get off at Sandy Creek, so that’s where I had to get off at, now I have to walk through this,” said Kia Lewis, a T rider.

The blow out created a massive hole, spewed debris and tons of rock all over the tracks.

Officials say 30 customers went dry, and some businesses resorted to a bucket brigade to keep going.

By about 9 a.m., T service was restored to the end of the line in Library. But while you could take the T all the way into Pittsburgh, you couldn’t take Route 88 on either side. It was blocked.

Meanwhile, for Lewis, who lives on the other side of the tracks, she spent some time figuring out which way she’d trek.

“Actually, I see a little short cut that I’m about to take in order to get around it,” she said.

Penn American Water reports that they expect to have repairs completed within the next eight hours.

They are hoping to have everything wrapped up and the road reopened by 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. Meanwhile, Route 88 is still closed between Clifton-Library Road and Berryman Avenue.

Stay with KDKA for the latest details.

RELATED LINKS:
Port Authority
Bethel Park Police Department
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