Massive water main break tangles traffic in Northeast

The intersection of Bustleton Avenue and Red Lion Road in Northeast Philadelphia is partially closed because of a water main break that happened at about 7:30 Friday night

At 10:30 p.m., police said water was still receding from the area around the broken 12-inch main, and that traffic was only being allowed along the southbound lanes of Bustleton Avenue.

Red Lion Road is closed between Northeast Avenue and Bustleton, said Laura Copeland, a water department spokeswoman.

Water that was flowing through the broken section of the pipe was shut off Friday night at about 9:30, Copeland said, adding that the emergency crew initially had some trouble shutting the water off because the valves were submerged.

At 10:30, police said about a foot of water flooded the area. Copeland said the section of the pipe that burst was between five and a half to six feet underground.

The water department will also work to clean up mud and debris that littered the area after the main broke, Copeland said.

Two homes and a nearby Goodwill store will likely be without water until the main is repaired, Copeland said.

She added that a repair crew will be sent to the area Saturday morning.

Water department officials are working to determine what caused the main to break.