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Rt. 22 Reopens, After Water Main Break Causes Traffic Mess

MONROEVILLE (KDKA) -- A water main break was the source of some major traffic headaches today along busy Route 22 in Monroeville.

The break in the 12-inch line happened just before the intersection with Old William Penn Highway.

It was closed for many hours, causing significant delays for drivers.

However, it was reopened late Tuesday night.

Workers with the Monroeville Municipal Authority dug on both sides of the highway in order to get to the underground pipe that is enclosed in a casing.

Watch Kym Gable's report:

According to PennDOT, traffic heading in the eastbound direction was reduced to a single lane and traffic going westbound is being detoured at Elliott Road.

"Eastbound side is down to one lane; westbound is closed, and we hope to keep that closed … it'll probably [be] close[d] another good eight hours," said John Caper, the Monroeville Municipal Authority manager. "If they can come up with alternate routes other than Route 22 here in Monroeville, I would suggest that they take it."

Outbound traffic was being detoured at Elliott Road off of Route 22, going through the neighborhood and then comes back onto the highway just ahead of the where the water main break is located.

The good news, officials said water service in the area was not affected.

However, drivers were frustrated and stuck in traffic because of the break.

"Jumped on 22, just like every other day and forgot that it was like this," one driver said.

Stay with KDKA for the latest on this developing story.

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