Major Water Main Break In West Orange Causes Traffic Gridlock: UPDATED

WEST ORANGE, NJ -- A major water main break caused traffic gridlock in West Orange on Friday.

West Orange town officials issued an alert about the issue on Friday afternoon:

"Avoid the area. Crews are on scene at the intersection of Eagle Rock Avenue and Prospect Avenue. Eagle Rock Avenue will be closed at both Pleasant Valley Way and Harrison Avenue for an indefinite period of time as well as Prospect Avenue, which is closed southbound from Verona, and northbound traffic on Prospect Avenue will be diverted onto I-280 west."

The West Orange Police Department also issued an advisory about the water main break at 4:44 p.m., noting that "as of now, there is no time frame on when the repairs will be completed."

UPDATE #1

West Orange town officials gave an update on the situation late Friday evening: work is expected to be finished by noon on Saturday. No boil water advisory has been issued.

According to the township:

"Eagle Rock Ave will continue to be closed from Pleasant Valley Way to Prospect Avenue. There will be a soft closure at ERA and Pleasant Valley Way, hard closure at Forest Ave and hard closure at Woodhull to Prospect. North and South on Prospect Ave at Eagle Rock Ave will be open and down to one lane in each direction. Westbound Eagle Rock Ave at Prospect will be detoured north onto Prospect Ave toward Verona. Estimated time of complete repair is noon on Aug. 17."

"There has been NO boil water advisory issued at this time," officials continued. "Those who reside in the affected area may experience discolored or cloudy water, low water pressure, or no water. When water service is restored, customers may experience discolored water. If your water is discolored, run the cold water taps only, at the lowest level of the house for about 3 to 5 minutes until the water runs clear."

UPDATE #2

Town officials issued another update on the situation at 12:34 p.m.:

"As of noon on Saturday, Aug. 17, the intersection of Eagle Rock and Prospect Avenue is now open. A major water main break that caused traffic delays and backups in West Orange on Friday afternoon has been repaired. There is a NO boil water advisory issued at this time. Those who reside in the affected area may experience some discolored or cloudy water. New Jersey American Water recommends customers in the affected area run the cold water taps only, at the lowest level of the house for about 3 to 5 minutes until the water runs clear."

"There will be no further notification unless additional action is required or conditions change," officials added.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com