A quartet of water main breaks kept underground utilities crews busy, mainly on 12th Avenue, through the late morning hours Friday into early Saturday.
Three breaks were reported along 12th between 11 am and just before 11 pm Friday with the first coming at the intersection of 12th and West around 11 am. The break caused water to bubble through the pavement on the south, west and northeast sides of the street and affected service to many customers in the area.
The line was repaired and service was restored around 8:40 pm, however, traffic in the intersection remains closed until further notice with street repairs needed. While repairs were ongoing at 12th and West, another break was reported around 4:15 pm at the intersection of 12th and Walnut. The break led to the closure of the intersection with crews amid repairs when the third break was reported just before 11 pm at 12th and Washington.
According to City Communications Manager Christine Torrens, repairs on both breaks wrapped up around 4:25 am Saturday, both intersections may remain closed to traffic with street repairs still needed. Drivers are being asked to find an alternate route if possible in the meantime.
The breaks on 12th Avenue all followed a line break that occurred in the early morning hours Friday at 15th and Sherwood which kept underground crews busy for about eight hours. Service was restored to effected customers just before 10 am, however, traffic is down to one lane around the break site with road repairs still needed.
10 pm Friday: UPDATE: Traffic to remain impacted until further notice at a trio of sites following water main breaks Friday
Traffic adjustments will continue until further at the site of a significant water main break from Friday.
Underground utilities crews wrapped up repairs on the water main break reported at the intersection of West Street and 12th Avenue around 8:40 pm Friday, more than nine hours after it was originally reported. The break caused water to bubble through the pavement on the south, west and northeast sides of the street and affected service to many customers in the area.
Although service has been restored and traffic on 12th has reopened to a degree, the intersection at 12th and West will remain closed until crews can make necessary street repairs.
This was the second of three water main breaks reported Friday and followed a break at 15th and Sherwood that kept underground utility crews busy with repairs for more than eight hours. Water service in the area was restored around 10 am Friday, however, traffic remains down to one lane until further notice with no word on when it will return to normal.
The third water main break reported Friday occurred around 4:15 pm at 12th and Walnut leading to yet more traffic adjustments for motorists, including a complete closure of the intersection.
4:30 pm Friday: UPDATE: Trio of water main breaks lead to traffic adjustments in Emporia Friday
A rash of water main breaks in Emporia has led to some local traffic changes until further notice.
The first break occurred at 15th and Sherwood and kept underground utility crews busy with repairs for more than eight hours. Water service in the area was restored around 10 am, however, traffic remains down to one lane until further notice with no word on when traffic will return to normal.
Shortly after those repairs concluded, another major main break was reported around 11 am at West Street and 12th Avenue. Traffic on 12th has been reopened to thru traffic, however, the intersection of 12th and West is currently closed with drivers being asked to find an alternate route of travel if possible.
A third main break, this time at 12th and Walnut, was reported at 4:15 pm. The intersection is closed and water service may be effected to customers in the area.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more updates as they develop.
12:11 pm Friday: Drivers urged to avoid 12th and West after water main break
Drivers are urged to avoid the 12th and West intersection through Friday afternoon after a water main break.
Issues were reported shortly before 11 am. Initially, Emporia Police and Public Works blocked off 12th from West to Walnut, but they have reopened West 12th to thru traffic while keeping West closed until further notice.
The break caused water to bubble through the pavement on the south, west and northeast sides of the street. Emporia Floral, which is near the southwest corner of the intersection, has virtually no water but plans to stay open as long as possible.
This follows a separate break at 15th and Sherwood that kept crews occupied with repairs for over eight hours earlier in the day. Emporia Child Care was offline until water service was restored around 10 am. Traffic on West 115th is one lane around the work zone and there is currently no word on when that area will have traffic return to normal.
KVOE and KVOE.com will have updates.
*Click here for a YouTube Short video from 12th and West.
8:30 am Friday: Emporia Child Care among locations impacted by West 15th water main break
The water main break near the northeast corner of C of E Park has halted water service for one local business.
Emporia Child Care is offline until further notice, although City Manager Trey Cocking says water service should be restored around 9-9:30 am.
The break was reported after 1 am on West 15th just west of Sherwood. Crews have totally blocked West 15th so workers can repair the affected line. The situation has been complicated to a degree because there is a second line nearby. The second line appears to be sound.
KVOE and KVOE.com will have updates.
6:15 am Friday: Water main fails on 15th near Sherwood
Emporia’s Underground Utilities Department is handling a water main break in north-central Emporia.
Crews were called to West 15th just west of Sherwood after 1 am. Service has been affected and 15th will be closed between Dover and Sherwood Way for an undetermined period of time.
Other details are pending.
