Water main break closes traffic on 12th Street

Water pools along the roadside as workers try to deal with a water main break at the intersection of 12th and Louisiana streets just east of the Oread Hotel on Tuesday, June 24, 2014. Because of the break, portions of 12th Street have buckled and city crews are responding. Nick Krug/Journal-World Photo

Both lanes of a three-block stretch on 12th Street are closed because of a water main break, according to a city news release.

Jeanette Klamm, of the city’s Department of Utilities, said 12th Street is closed between Louisiana and Ohio streets, including the intersection of 12th and Ohio streets.

Klamm said the split caused some damage to the road, and crews will be forced to keep it closed “for the rest of the week, probably.” The water line itself suffered an 8-inch split that will take four to six hours to repair.

Traffic control devices are in place to direct traffic. The water main in question was installed in 1930, Klamm said.

Large portions of the street which includes brick portions have been uplifted because of a water main break at the intersection of 12th and Louisiana streets on Tuesday, June 24, 2014.