Water main break in Newark disrupts traffic
NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) -- A 20-inch water main broke in Newark Tuesday disrupting the morning commute and creating a huge mess for crews to clean up.
The water main broke at South Orange and Littleton avenues around 3:55 a.m. causing a portion of the intersection to cave in.
Newark Public Safety Director Fritz G. Fragé said that streets in the area of South Orange Avenue and Littleton Avenue are closed to traffic.
The break affected the area from Fairmount Avenue and South 7th Street and from 13th Avenue to 14th Avenue.
Pastor James Bailey of Vineyard Baptist Church came to check on his facilities just a few feet away from where the break happened.
"Since I heard about the water," Bailey said. "I usually give food out to the community. I told everybody to stay home."
The City of Newark's Water Department immediately shut down the main valve and rerouted supplies so that homes and businesses wouldn't be affected.
Drivers are advised to anticipate delays and to plan alternate routes as crews continue to work on repairing the main and street above hoping to have everything fixed by Tuesday evening.
"Crews are here," Kareem Adeem Director of Newark Water and Sewer said. "We're just trying to pump it out, trying to get this done."
Director Fragé is urging anyone with information regarding any criminal activities to call the Police Division's 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477). All anonymous Crime Stopper tips are kept confidential and could result in a reward.
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