Bronx Water Main Break Causes Flooding and Travel Disruptions

A large water main break in the Bronx turned a busy construction site into a giant pool of muddy water and caused serious traffic delays across the area. The unexpected incident happened near Broadway and Van Cortlandt Park South, creating chaos for workers, drivers, and local residents.

Construction Site Submerged After Water Main Bursts

Around 10:30 a.m., a private contractor accidentally hit a 24-inch water main during routine work near a new development site. The break sent water gushing into the area, flooding a space roughly 300 by 300 feet. The location, which includes plans for housing and a school, became unsafe within minutes.

Construction workers were forced to evacuate the site immediately. First responders, including the FDNY, quickly arrived and worked to secure the area. Their biggest concern was the 300-foot construction crane standing tall at the flooded site. Officials feared the water might have weakened the ground supporting the crane, which could lead to a dangerous collapse.

Major Deegan Expressway Shut Down Due to Rising Water

The flooding didn’t stop at the construction site it spilled onto the Major Deegan Expressway, one of the Bronx’s main highways. Officials had no choice but to shut down both the northbound and southbound lanes to protect public safety. Drivers faced massive delays, and traffic was backed up for more than two miles.

Traffic had to be rerouted to nearby roads, which quickly became jammed with cars. The disruption also affected public transit, with subway trains on the 1-line moving slowly through the affected area.

Engineers Focus on Crane Stability and Site Safety

With water flooding the ground, city engineers and inspectors began checking the construction crane’s stability. They needed to make sure the structure wouldn’t tip over due to the softened ground. Using drones and special tools, experts examined the base of the crane and declared it stable by early afternoon.

Even though the crane was safe, the city issued a partial stop-work order at the site. That means no construction work can continue until all the water is cleared and safety inspections are finished. News Updates

No Major Water Outages, But Pressure Problems Reported

Despite the serious break, most nearby homes and businesses did not lose water service. However, some buildings experienced low water pressure, especially in higher floors. The city’s water department acted quickly to isolate the broken main and redirect water flow to avoid bigger problems.

Cleanup crews stayed on site throughout the day, working to drain water, assess damage, and begin repairs on the water main.

Local Workers Describe the Scary Moments

Nearby workers and residents described how quickly the situation escalated. One local car dealership was nearly flooded, and employees rushed to protect vehicles as water began entering the lot. The power also briefly went out in the area, adding to the panic, but was restored later that morning.

A worker said,

“We saw water rushing in like a wave. Everyone just ran out, not knowing how deep it would get. The crane looked like it might fall it was scary.”

Fast Response from Multiple City Agencies

Emergency response teams from various city departments worked together to control the damage. The fire department handled the flooding, while engineers and inspectors checked the structural safety of the site. The water department handled the damaged pipe, and the buildings department made sure the construction project followed all safety regulations.

Traffic officers also worked hard to control the rerouted vehicles and assist stuck drivers. By late afternoon, most of the flooded water was pumped out, and crews began cleaning the debris left behind.

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