'Massive' water main break downtown shuts down multiple streets

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Massive water main break downtown shuts down mwater main break downtown.
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Posted: 10/28/2012

CINCINNATI - The Cincinnati Police Department has closed multiple streets downtown after what is being described as a "massive" water main break just outside Sawyer Point.

A large 36-inch transmission water main burst at about 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon, shooting water as high as three feet into the air, said Cincinnati Water Works spokesperson Michele Ralston.

"Since this is a larger transmission main, repairs could take some time,” Ralston said. “I think since it's so early in process right now I can't really give you an accurate estimate as a time frame, but I can say crews are on scene. We're working as quickly as we can to figure out what caused the main to break, to get inside, make repairs and get everything back in order."

Eggleston Avenue and East Pete Rose Way will remain closed while crews from Water Works repair the water main.

No timetable has been released for when the repairs are expected to be finished. Ralston said she believes the repairs will take at least a few hours to complete and could extend into Monday morning.

Ralston also confirmed that the affected water main transports water throughout the distribution system in the city, but no local businesses or residences should be affected by the break.

The reason for the water main break will not be determined until after repair crews have been able to fully shut down the water leak, Ralston said.

Stay with 9 News and WCPO.com for updates on this developing situation.