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Tractor-Trailer Hits Fire Hydrant, Sends Water Gushing Onto Route 51

BRENTWOOD (KDKA) -- About 70 businesses along Route 51 in Brentwood are still without water service after a tractor-trailer ran over a fire hydrant Tuesday night.

The accident caused the water main to rupture near Dunkin' Donuts and sent water gushing into the street, which created dangerous, icy conditions.

Police shut down one lane of Route 51 south as drivers slowed down to look at water gushing several feet in the air. One lane of southbound Route 51 will remain closed throughout Wednesday morning's rush hour.

The ground near the opening actually shook.

Sgt. Adam Zeppuhar told KDKA that repairing the break and paying for the supplies is the responsibility of Penn American Water.

"This is an actual water company issue and it's their responsibility to salt the road and repair the roadway," he said.

Water company spokesman Gary Lobaugh said the water line could take 18 hours to fix once the water main was shut off. It was shut off around 10 p.m. on Tuesday.

"We had a break on a 16-inch, pre-stressed concrete main that's approximately 50 to 60 years old," said Lobaugh.

Road crews made passes every few minutes spreading salt and calcium chloride so the road surface wouldn't freeze over. There were no accidents reported in the area.

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