Morning Commuters Urged to Avoid Site of Water Main Break on Rockville Pike (Update)

Updated at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission crews continue to repair a 16-inch water main break at 9190 Rockville Pike at Cedar Lane in Bethesda.

The 74-year-old cast iron pipe broke about 1 p.m. Tuesday on Rockville Pike (Rt. 355) and Cedar Lane near the National Institute of Health. About 250 customers were without water Tuesday night while repairs are made to the water main.

One northbound lane and two southbound lanes between Cedar Lane and Pooks Hill Road on Rockville Pike (Rt. 355) are open to traffic. Repairs are expected to last into the morning commute.

WSSC strongly encourages commuters to use alternate routes and if possible avoid the area.

The utility will set up a water station for customers at the Stone Ridge School, 9101 Rockville Pike.

The RideOn Route 34 Bus from Bethesda to Wheaton will detour as follows: When leaving Bethesda, the bus will turn right on Jones Bridge Road, then left on Connecticut, then left on Beach Drive, and then right on Cedar lane.

Patch will continue to update this breaking news story.

»Photos of WSSC workers repairing Rockville Pike water main break and clearing debris from street, via WSSC on Twitter