Finally: All Lanes of Rockville Pike Open In Bethesda

All lanes of Rockville Pike in Bethesda are now open to traffic following nearly two days of work to repair a water main break and the road surface.

The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission had hoped to have the road patched in time for the Thursday morning commute, but work took longer than expected.

At 7:30 a.m. Thursday the utility said on Twitter that all northbound lanes of Rockville Pike were open and southbound lanes would be open by 8 a.m.

“Thx for patience we know it was trying,” WSSC tweeted.

The Maryland State Highway Administration says all northbound and southbound lanes are open on Rockville Pike (MD 355) from Jones Bridge Road to Pooks Hill Road.

Water service was restored about noon Wednesday following a water main break in the 16-inch main. The 74-year-old cast iron pipe broke about 1 p.m. Tuesday on Rockville Pike (Rt. 355) at Cedar Lane near the National Institute of Health.

Paving crews worked through Wednesday night to finish the repairs, keeping at least one lane open both north and southbound.

It is common for customers to have discolored water in their taps following a water main break in their area. Cold water taps should be run for five minutes to allow the discolored water to flush out. Check out WSSC’s website for more details on flushing after a water main break.