Salem Water Main Break Shuts Down Jefferson Avenue, Disrupts Service

SALEM, MA — Some parts of Salem were left without water service late Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning with traffic disruptions throughout the day on Wednesday after a water main break on Jefferson Avenue.

The Salem Department of Public Services said water service was restored at about 1 a.m. and sewer repairs were done at about 4 a.m. But that the break had left Jefferson Street impassable for two-way traffic on Wednesday morning.

Crews worked throughout Wednesday restoring the roadway to allow for two-way traffic with police details in place to direct drivers. Two-way traffic was expected to reopen by about 3 p.m.

Salem DPS said paving will start in the next two weeks to allow for the settling of the area as it dries out and compacts.

Residents and businesses are advised that they may continue to experience brown water. This should dissipate if cold water is run until it runs clear.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)