A broken water main line is causing major traffic issues in a very busy area of Melbourne and it could be days until it’s resolved.
Crews will be working on a burst pipe near the intersection of Hollywood Blvd and Eastbound U.S. 192 in front of the Melbourne Square Mall.
Around noon on Monday a contractor accidentally ruptured a main water line that runs below the busy road – causing it to flood the street.
“Usually I take less than five minutes to arrive on Wickam Road and today I almost took, like, 30 minutes,” says Hamid Rehaif who was stuck in traffic and lives near where the pipe was ruptured.
For the next few days eastbound drivers will be forced around the flooded area – making it tough for not only them – but the businesses nearby.
Several Burger King employees along 192 stood outside and watched crews work since customers were not allowed into the restaurant’s parking lot and had to drive around.
Melbourne Public Works & Utilities Director Raph Reigelsperger says the rupture is a major concern for the area.
“Any time you’re on a major state route like that it’s a huge impact. It’s a major inconvenience for the people, the public safety folks, and just everybody involved,” says Reigelsperger – requesting commuters and business owners remain patient as crews begin work on the pipe.
As of Monday night, water was not cut off to residents or businesses and the city says that is a “last resort” in hopes of fixing the problem before it gets to that point.
Two pieces of concrete pipe are being shipped to Melbourne from Texas and if everything goes as planned that section of U.S. Highway 192 could re-open sometime on Thursday.