BOSTON — A massive water main break on Friday morning turned a number of streets in downtown Boston into rivers shorty before the morning commute ramped up.
Video from Washington and Lagrange streets near The Kensington apartments in Chinatown showed gushing water cascading down the road. Tufts Medical Center is located nearby.
A photo shared with Boston 25 showed a significant amount of standing water in the lobby of a building in the neighborhood.
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Boston Water and Sewer Commission crews have since shut off the water and are working to repair the problem. Hours before the break, the commission had announced plans to conduct “emergency leak detection” on the water system.
The commission said the break stems from a 12-inch water main that dates back to 1904. It was said to be relined in 2000.
The water has since receded but roads in the area were damaged by the flooding. Parts of the street and sidewalk buckled, leaving debris and chunks of pavement strewn everywhere.
Pictures from the damaged cause by the Massive water main break on Washington st in Chinatown. The sidewalk and street has buckled , debris scattered in the street. Avoid the area , multiple streets are closed. pic.twitter.com/uMjXd5RJkl
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) September 16, 2022
Motorists are being urged to avoid the area. Boston police and fire have blocked off traffic around the scene.
Kneeland Street and Washinton Street, Kneeland Street and Knapp Street, and Stuart Street from Washington Street to Tremont Street will remain closed until further notice, according to Boston police.
There were no additional details immediately available.
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Traffic Advisory: Due to a Water Main Break in the Area of Washington Street and Lagrange Street in Downtown Boston, expect road closures and traffic delays in the area. Please seek an alternate route.
— Boston Police Dept. (@bostonpolice) September 16, 2022
Companies are still on scene at the large water main break at 660 Washington st. Chinatown this morning. @BOSTON_WATER are working to shut down the leak. pic.twitter.com/VVnOH0Wua7
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) September 16, 2022
Water main break Washington and Kneeland Streets downtown, obviously traffic impacted. BWSC crews working to shut main down, determine issue. 1904 12 inch main relined in 2000. Details to follow.
— BWSC (@BOSTON_WATER) September 16, 2022
Traffic Advisory: Due to ongoing roadwork in response to a Water Main Break, Kneeland Street and Washinton Street, Kneeland Street and Knapp Street, and Stuart Street from Washington Street to Tremont Street will remain closed. Please seek an alternate route.
— Boston Police Dept. (@bostonpolice) September 16, 2022
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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