JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A water main break shut down part of a major thoroughfare in East Arlington on Friday.
Eastbound McCormick Road between Monument Road and Kernan Boulevard is closed until further notice and is not expected to open until Saturday afternoon, Jacksonville police said.
Both lanes of McCormick Road were closed about 2:30 p.m., but both westbound lanes reopened about 2 ½ hours later.
According to JEA, a Verizon contractor hit a 20-inch water main. JEA crews have since isolated the break and water has been restored to customers in the area, but crews will continue working overnight and into Saturday to complete the road repairs.
"I was first in line and the workers came over and stopped me. I could tell he was frantic," witness Chuck Mitchell said. "About 10 feet in front of me or so, both lanes, the asphalt started rising up and bubbling like you’re going to blow a balloon and it came up about 18-20 inches or so."
PHOTOS: Water main break causes East Arlington mess
A JEA spokeswoman said no boil water advisories had been issued, but drivers are asked to avoid the area.
Officials with the Florida Department of Transportation said the water main break was not related to the State Road 116 (Wonderwood) Drainage Improvement project.
Eastbound traffic on McCormick Road is being detoured to St. Johns Bluff Road, south on St. Johns Bluff Road to Atlantic Boulevard, east on Atlantic Boulevard to Kernan Boulevard and north on Kernan Boulevard back to McCormick Road.
Local traffic can continue on McCormick Road to Monument Road, then detour north or south on Monument Road.
MAP: McCormick Road detour route
The intersection of Monument and McCormick roads is also closed. All traffic approaching the intersection will be turned around until further notice.
For more possible detour options, see the interactive traffic map below.
Live, interactive map of Jacksonville traffic. | Stay with News4Jax for updates.
| |