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Broken Water Main Causes Traffic Headaches On H-1 Freeway

Some big problems on the H-1 freeway Tuesday morning. The intersection was closed for several hours after a water main break.

Board of Water Supply crews are still working on that broken water main. Two lanes on School Street are closed. Traffic is slow going, but still moving. Nothing compared to traffic from Tuesday morning on the freeway just down below.

Rush hour traffic was bumper to bumper on Tuesday morning. The ewa bound lanes were flooded out with muddy water. Workers closed the Punchbowl on-ramp, backing up traffic for miles, in both directions. All because of this, a broken 12 inch water main on the street above.

The board of water supply's Denise Decosta said, "It resulted in a lot of water and silt, pouring down the hillside on part of the freeway."

The water main burst around 6:20 Tuesday morning. "It's fairly old pipe, I think about 60 years old. It looks in good shape but it probably had a weak spot. And that's what probably blew out this morning," said Decosta.

Water officials still aren't sure what caused the break. But they do know what's stalling repairs.

"The pipe is sandwiched between two electrical ducts, high voltage ducts, and we can't touch those."

Hawaiian Electric crews showed up around 1:30 to remove the cement casings.

"It all depends on how quickly Hawaiian Electric can do their work, estimating not until late tonight," said Decosta. "And yes, it's going to go through the afternoon rush hour."

And the traffic is not the only thing affected. Three homes and a small apartment building are without water.

Now if you going to be driving in the area, just keep in mind that two lanes on School Street will remain closed until repairs are completed by Tuesday night.