Route 51 Temporarily Reopens After Water Main Break, More Work Needed
WEST MIFFLIN (KDKA) -- A stretch of Route 51 (Clairton Blvd.) in West Mifflin has temporarily reopened after water main breaks caused the road to begin crumbling.
The northbound lanes were completely shut down between Mall Drive and Denny's Restaurant. Two trucks blocked the lanes with big signs telling drivers to detour back toward the old Century III Mall and hop back onto 51 headed north between Denny's and Red Lobster.
The southbound lanes funneled into one lane.
"We're kind of used to being inconvenienced on 51. There's always some kind of water main break," said Brittany Miklancie, driver
While the road has finally returned to normal after the Thursday morning break, it won't stay that way.
Penn American Water officials say, beginning Monday, traffic will be limited to a single northbound and southbound lane in the same area from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will stay that way through mid-September.
According to Penn American Water, the road has a concrete base underneath the asphalt, which was damaged by the break. Next week, contractors will be pouring new concrete to ensure that the final repair meets PennDOT specifications.
West Mifflin Police tell KDKA that the contractors requested officers' help next week for the fix.
Penn American Water is urging drivers to find alternate routes during project hours.
Water service was restored Thursday afternoon for the 11 affected businesses along Route 51 and the 33 homeowners nearby after the two water breaks.
