Grand Central Terminal's lower level reopened after power outage

MIDTOWN, Manhattan (WABC) -- Grand Central Terminal was totally reopened Tuesday morning, after a water pipe burst Monday causing a power outage.

The doors were opened at 5:15 a.m. with power fully restored.

The MTA said on Monday employees and passengers were escorted from the terminal's lower level to the main floor when the outage occurred around 9 a.m.

The power went out after a 6-inch water pipe burst. By Monday evening, the water was removed from the power vault.

It didn't disrupt train service -- all trains scheduled to use the lower level were diverted to the upper level, where power remained. It already was on holiday schedule due to President's Day.

There were no delays Tuesday around 5:30 a.m. but 15-20 minute delays were anticipated.

"It delivered 18 inches of water into the vault that holds the electrical equipment," MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan said.

Emergency generators provided backup power to the main hall and other entrance areas Tuesday.

Eyewitness News viewer photos show how dark it was inside Grand Central:

About 100 stores and food vendors were forced to close the better part of the day as police and state troopers barred the entrances to the lower level.