BY REBECCA BENNETT – Updated Aug. 13 at 7:55 a.m.  Water service has been restored in Riverdale Park, but traffic remains an issue Thursday, according to the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC). Three westbound lanes are still closed on on East West Highway, while 2 eastbound lames get by for the morning rush.

According to WSSC, a 10-inch water main burst in the 4400 block of East West Highway early Wednesday. The pipe was 90 years old and the cause of the break was aging infrastructure, they said, who said 12 customers are affected by the service disruption.

WSSC said the 15-foot water main break took out four lanes of traffic.  According to WSSC at 4 p.m. Wednesday, the crew was excavating the pipe and said the work would continue through the rush hour.  Just before 7 p.m., WSSC said the pipe had been cut out and they would be replacing it this evening.

“The road damage extended 25 feet beyond the break site illustrating the force of rushing water,” WSSC said.


The resulting detour has left parts of East West Highway backed up in both directions.  Drivers in the area advise others to avoid the area.  Rosanna Landis Weaver said the area was in full gridlock Wednesday evening.  ” Just took half an hour to go two blocks on Queensbury,” she said.

“We will have a better handle on the road situation once repairs have been completed on the water main,” WSSC said just after 6 p.m.