Subway service disrupted by Upper West Side water main break
NEW YORK - A water main break on the Upper West Side disrupted subway service on the busy B and C lines Wednesday afternoon. A and D service was also impacted.
B and C trains were initially suspended in both directions due to the break as water poured into the tracks. A train service was shut down between 125th Street and Chambers Street. D train service was suspended between 161st Street and Herald Square. Passengers were asked to use the 1, 2, 3 lines, causing some crowding on those lines. 2 and 3 trains, ordinarily express trains, were making local stops. The MTA also said 4 and 5 trains may be delayed while they share track with rerouted trains.
The break happened at 103rd Street and Central Park West at 1:50 p.m. and involved a 12-inch main. City officials responded within 25 minutes, DEP Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala said. The water was shut off by 2:45 p.m., impacting 250 residences in eight buildings.
"Water main breaks like this happen somewhat randomly," Aggarwala said. "We have done a really good job, I think, over the last couple of years of reducing them."
He said last year, the city had a record low number of breaks.
Meanwhile, water was being cleaned from the tracks.
Some passengers on a B train had to switch cars, but that went smoothly, according to the MTA.
The break and disruptions took place as large crowds were expected to flock to the Upper West Side for the balloon inflation.
"When I first got here, there were cops and everything blocking the traffic," commuter Alex Febles said. "I'm going to go home but obviously I can't do that now."
"I tried to down there, but they have it all yellow taped up," commuter Faranah McKoy said. "I would love to head home, because I am tired and I'm heading to Jersey. So my commute just started."
