Deep freeze hinders repairs to water main break on Route 1 in Edison
EDISON, New Jersey (WABC) -- Crews in Edison, New Jersey are working to clean up a big mess on Route 1 after a water main broke and spilled water all over the roadway.
NewsCopter 7 was over the scene as the water quickly turned to ice -- forcing several lanes to close.
By Tuesday afternoon, crews were able to reopen two of the southbound lanes of Route 1 to traffic. The inner left lane stayed shut just for the safety of the crew working the break on the northbound side, which remains closed as repairs take place.
The closures began Monday afternoon after the water main break forced lanes to shut down. Route 1 northbound was closed first at Route 18, followed by a southbound closure at Plainfield Avenue later in the day.
There was no word yet on what caused the main to break, but it left hundreds of gallons of water gushing out onto the roadway.
Edison Water Utility crews are continuing repairs on the damaged water main. The work is expected to be completed sometime Tuesday, though officials say the roadway could reopen sooner if conditions allow.
Getting to the point of the break was more tedious than usual because of the cold weather, and the highway was built decades ago, and was extra fortified to withstand the weight of vehicles going into and out of old armories.
"Because of frigid temperatures, as well as the fact that there is concrete below Route 1... that's the reason why it took a little bit longer, but they have been able to excavate, and they should be able to compact and fill it," said Edison Mayor Sam Joshi.
Because repair timelines can change due to weather or site conditions, drivers are encouraged to check 511nj.org for up-to-the-minute traffic information. Updates are also available from the New Jersey Department of Transportation on social media.
For now, transportation officials say the best advice is to allow extra travel time or avoid the area altogether until Route 1 fully reopens.
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