Update: Major Water Main Break Closes Streets

BERKELEY, CA — A large water main break at the intersection of University Avenue and Grant Street in Berkeley has left dozens of homes without a water supply and closed the area to traffic while crews try to make repairs.

A witness called in to report the break at about 12:30 p.m. and traffic is shut down completely in both directions on University Avenue between McGee Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Way.

Also, vehicles are not allowed to cross University Avenue on Grant Street, Deputy Fire Chief Donna McCracken said.

In addition, the break means that crews had to shut off water service to about 40 East Bay Municipal Utility District customers on Grant Street from University Avenue to Alston Way, EBMUD spokeswoman Nelsy
Rodriguez said.

A cause for the break is not yet known, but the gushing leak started in a 12-inch cast iron pipe that was installed in 1933. EMUD expects excavation and repair work to continue through the evening and possibly into the early morning hours, Rodriguez said.

A statement from EBMUD indicated that repairs should be completed by 2 a.m. Wednesday, but no time was given for when the streets might be re-open to traffic.

--Image via Berkeley Fire Department.