Newark Water Main Break May Take Days To Repair: Officials

NEWARK, NJ — A water main break in Newark caused suspensions to Newark Light Rail Service on Monday, a day after heavy stormwaters flooded several city streets, officials said.

Repairs to the broken main are expected to be completed in next three to five days, Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose announced Monday afternoon.

NJ Transit reported Monday morning that Newark Light Rail Service was suspended in both directions between Orange Street and Bloomfield Avenue due to flooding from a nearby water main break at Park Avenue.

Individuals were temporarily evacuated from two residences in the area; the water has since receded, Newark police said.

Drivers and others are advised to plan alternate routes during the repairs as some streets may remain closed. Keep updated with local public safety alerts at the Patch Newark Facebook page.

Newark officials provided the following statement at 7:46 a.m. about the water main break:

“Newark police and firefighters responded to 259 North 5th Street due to a water main break that began at approximately 4:30 a.m. Due to flooding, police have closed North 5th Street from 4th Avenue to 6th Avenue and Park Avenue from 1st Street to 6th. Drivers and others are advised to avoid flooded streets and to refrain from driving around or moving barricades at flooded streets.”

STORM FLOODING

The water main break at Park Avenue took place as the city still reeled from Sunday’s storm and rainfall, Newark authorities said.

According to a Newark Police Department alert sent on Sunday night:

“Due to heavy rainfall today, many streets are flooded and should be avoided. Further, drivers and others are advised to avoid flooded streets or parking in low lying locations and to refrain from driving around or moving barricades at flooded streets. Because flooding is occurring at the below listed locations as well as at many other locations, motorists risk the possibility of becoming stranded by driving through flooded streets or parking in lowing lying locations where high water is or will likely accumulate. Motorists are encouraged to avoid these locations.”

NPD officials added:

“Motorists are discouraged from driving around or moving barricades that have been placed at locations that are flooded or expected to flood. Many flooded cars are in locations where barricades were present and motorist either moved them or drove around them. In addition to the [below] listed streets, drivers are discouraged from traveling through streets which are flooded, have high water or are believed to be flooded.”

The following locations should be avoided due to flooding conditions or the potential for flooding, police said:

· Clay Street and McCarter Highway

· South Street and Van Buren Street

· Jefferson and Chestnut Streets

· State Street near Broad Street

· Jabez and Backus Streets

· 357 Wilson Avenue

· Manufacturers Place and Hyatt Street

· Magazine Street and Avenue L

· Avenue L and Wilson Avenue

· Ferry and Foundry Streets

· Norfolk Street

· Orange Street

· Nesbitt Street

· McClellan and Frelinghuysen Avenue

· Frelinghuysen Avenue and the Route 21 underpass

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