5 day forecast
Route 51 water main break causes traffic delays
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A water main break on Route 51 near Midwood Avenue in Overbrook will restrict a lane of traffic through rush hour tonight.
The break of the 10-inch cast iron pipe submerged the right inbound lane between Maytide and Whited streets this morning. One lane of traffic is restricted in the area while crews make repairs.
Pennsylvania American Water spokesman Josephine Posti said service to about five businesses remains interrupted and will likely be restored by 7 p.m.
The repair is routine, she said, but is taking crews longer than first expected. The damaged pipe is 70 years old.
While there have been several disruptive water main breaks in the area over the past few days, Penn American spokesman Gary Lobaugh and Melissa Rubin, spokeswoman for the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, said the number of breaks so far this year is not abnormal.
Mr. Lobaugh said milder weather and more than $200 million invested by Penn American in system improvements led to a 20 percent reduction in leak repairs in and around Pittsburgh in the past year.
First Published January 7, 2013 8:29 am
