Water Main Break Closes Road, School In Bethel Park
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BETHEL PARK (KDKA) -- A section of Route 88 in Bethel Park remains shut down after a large water main break early Friday morning.
One lane of the busy roadway has been shut down in the area of the break, and it may remain closed throughout the evening rush hour, causing long back-ups throughout the day.
Officials have closed one northbound lane of traffic between Phillippi and Long Avenue. About 60 customers in that area are experiencing low or no water pressure.
The break washed chunks of asphalt down Library Road.
Neighbor Donna Mueller's weekend started early.
"When I came out, there's a big hole and I couldn't get to work or nothing," she said. "I had to call off. I couldn't get out or anything until now."
She ran outside in the cold to find pieces of her driveway, steaming.
Mueller was forced to drive through her snow-covered grass and around the break to get her car out.
"I thought it was just ice… and when I went out and looked more, and I'm thinking, 'What is this?' It's like the only driveway that got damage is mine," she said.
Bethel Park Emergency Management said up to 100 customers will be without water until repairs can be completed.
Classes were also cancelled Friday at the nearby Neil Armstrong Middle School.
The middle school was the only one in the district that was closed Friday, all other schools in the district were open as normal.
#UPDATE: Pls share! They extended the closure area on Library Rd/88 for this water main break. It now extends from Berryman Ave to Kings School Road. Avoid 88 this AM. Neil Armstrong Middle School CLOSED because it's right in the closure area. @KDKA pic.twitter.com/2qlVqeZ3Rj
— Meghan Schiller (@MeghanKDKA) December 7, 2018
Penn American Crews started digging, but they didn't know how deep the line was buried. Also, they said an eight-inch gas line runs uncomfortably close.
A nearby chiropractor's office, Allegheny Physical Medicine, called patients first thing.
"Fortunately, we are able to get access through the backside of Beagle Drive, so it's not going to affect us too bad," said Dr. Henry Ecker. "The front desk person has done a great job. She's given the proper directions on how to circumvent the water break."
They brought in bottles of water, and buckets of water in order to flush the toilets. It's a small inconvenience for the business, but a pain for some neighbors.
"What are you going to do? You can't get mad about nature. You can't do anything. You can't drink anything except if you have something in the refrigerator. You can't get a bath," Mueller said.
Pennsylvania American Water remains on scene making repairs, which are expected to be finished by Friday evening.
Stay with KDKA for the latest on this developing story.
