Water main break on North Av between Charles & Calvert. : r/baltimore

Update 5:10pm 11/8

Shut down on a broken 60-inch cast iron water main on N. Charles St. at 20th St. has proceeded to the point where pumping of water from the void in the street can begin. The reduction of water flow also means that Charles St. north of Penn Station to North Avenue is reopened. Traffic from Charles St. may go eastbound or westbound on North Avenue. In addition, eastbound through traffic on North Avenue is now allowed.

Westbound thru traffic on North Avenue between St. Paul St. and Charles St. is not allowed at this time.

Lanvale St. remains closed between St. Paul St. and Maryland Ave.

Lafayette St. is now open to thru traffic.

Charles St. north of North Ave. to 21st St. remains closed as does 20th St. between Maryland Ave. and St. Paul St.

Motorists are urged to continue to use alternate routes as a way to avoid delays. In addition, DPW asks drivers to use extreme caution near our work zone so that our employees can safely proceed to make repairs to the damaged infrastructure.

http://www.baltimorebrew.com/2012/11/08/city-hopes-to-stop-charles-street-water-flow-today/

Update Posted at 2:27pm 11/08

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/breaking/bs-md-ci-water-main-update-20121108,0,7142326.story

The city does not have an estimate for how long the repairs might take.

...

He added that traffic between Lanvale and 21st streets will remain closed, but some side streets may be able to reopen by the end of Thursday.

Update Posted at 7:49pm 11/07

Just before 8:00 this morning a 60 inch cast iron main erupted at the intersection of N. Charles St. and 20th St. Charles St. is closed to thru traffic north of Penn Station, and 20th St. is closed between Maryland Ave. and St. Paul St. Other streets which cross Charles St., including Lanvale St., Lafayette St. And North Ave. are also closed to thru traffic. Choose alternate routes away from the vicinity of the break to avoid traffic congestion. Crews continue to work on the final stages of the main shut-down. DPW is also working with other utilities to minimize impacts on those, including gas mains. Impacts on water service should be limited to some low water pressure in north central Baltimore and localized cloudiness. Citizens should run their water for several minutes to clear it if there is discoloration. Removing the aerator on the faucet will help this process of returning water to normal clarity. If the water does not clear please call 311. Excavation of the break will not occur until some time tomorrow, after the shutdown of the line is completed and other utilities are protected and examined. This main was fabricated in 1913 and installed approximately 90 years ago. DPW has begun a comprehensive proactive program to increase our water main replacement and rehabilitation from under five miles annually, to 40 miles annually, over the next five years. This is a $300 million investment in needed water infrastructure to reduce the likelihood on water main breaks in the future. Contact: Kurt Kocher Kurt.Kocher@baltimorecity.gov 410-545-6541 After hours 410-396-3100.

https://twitter.com/BaltimoreOEM/status/266163554992939008

Some photos, it is looking messy out there:

Video

http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/region/baltimore_city/apparent-water-main-break-floods-streets

http://www.baltimorebrew.com/2012/11/07/water-main-break-turns-charles-street-into-raging-torrent/

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/breaking/bs-md-water-main-break-20121107,0,3397535.story

A large water main break Wednesday disrupted morning rush hour in the Charles North neighborhood. The 60-inch pipe at North Avenue and North Charles Street is gushing water and snarling traffic in both directions. The City Department of Public Works is on the scene attempting to repair the break. Traffic will likely be diverted from the area for several hours, officials said.

North Avenue is closed between Calvert and Charles. MTA is rerouting buses. Amtrak has been notified about possible flooding of tracks at Penn Station.

Fire crews responded at about 7:30 a.m. to the break and have remained on the scene. Officials said they had no idea how long repairs would take.

http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/MDBALT-5b5fe9

A major water main break has occurred this morning at Charles St and 20th St. It is believed to be on a 60 inch main. Traffic should avoid the area. Traffic cannot cross North Ave at Charles. The same is true for Lanvale St. and also 20th St. Charles St is closed at 20th St and points south in the flooded area. DPW crews are making progress with the shut down of the main. Low water pressure may be noticed in a number of locations. More details to come. Emergency personnel from Fire, Police and Emergency Management are on the scene. Contact Kurt Kocher Kurt.Kocher@batimorecity.gov 410-971-9613