CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A busy intersection on Charleston’s West Side could be closed for a few days following a water main break Wednesday morning that flooded the area and buckled pavement.
The 16-inch main that broke is near the intersection of Patrick Street and 4th Avenue. It broke during morning rush hour.
West Virginia American Water Company Sr. Manager of External Affairs Megan Hannah said the break, which occurred at about 8:30 a.m., buckled the pavement.
“It’s just a lot of pressure and certainly that causes an interesting event there that’s very visible and we’re seeing the impacts of that with the water that was coming up out of the ground there and the flooding that has resulted,” Hannah said.
The line, although large, is not the utility’s main line in that area of Charleston. West Virginia American was able to isolate the break and keep water service on to all of its customers.
Hannah said it could take eight hours or more to repair the broken line and then several more hours to repair and repave the intersection.
“We do expect there to be some significant repair needed there on Patrick Street,” she said. “There’s no real estimation when that route will reopen but we certainly encourage motorists to avoid that area during this time.”