Crews Continue Repairs On Massive Strip District Water Main Break

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Repairs continue around the clock in the Strip District after a water main break, but the news isn't encouraging, according to the Pittsburgh Water and Sewage Authority.

Just after 7 p.m. Tuesday, a 36-inch water main broke on Smallman Street near the 16th Street Bridge, pouring water into the street like a faucet that had no off switch.

Several cars parked along Smallman had water up to their doors, and initially businesses along the stretch had no water service. That has since changed; water has been restored, but Smallman from 14th Street to 17th Street is closed to traffic until further notice.

WATCH LISA WASHINGTON'S REPORT:

Crews are working nonstop to replace the broken line and restore the flow of traffic as soon as possible.

But don't hold your breath on a timetable as to when all of that will happen. An entire section of the street is completely gone.

Since Tuesday evening, 120 truckloads of debris have been removed from the site. Crews have been working day and night shifts for nearly 48 hours straight.

Just what caused the line to break is not known, but it was so forceful, it caused problems in the heart of downtown. For several hours, the Gateway Towers Condos had no water as pressure was temporarily turned off or turned down at the mainline's water supply so crews could begin repairs.

So when will things be back to normal? When will repairs be complete and the stretch opened to traffic? While it's still unknown, a new 36-inch pipe will be delivered to crews Friday for repairs. The next update will be provided tomorrow, May 24, at 12:00 p.m.

Any customer who needs additional information should call PWSA Emergency Dispatch 24/7 at (412) 255-2423.