The section of Bridge Street between Main Street and Columbus Avenue will remain closed pending road repairs in the aftermath of Saturday's water main break.
SPRINGFIELD — The Water and Sewer Commission on Monday was repairing a weekend water main break on Bridge Street in the downtown, and anticipated completing the work by late Tuesday afternoon.
A six-inch water line broke near Tower Square. It was discovered Saturday morning.
The section of Bridge Street from Main Street to Columbus Avenue will remain closed during pipe repairs and continuing this week and next week while the road is repaired, a spokeswoman said. On Saturday, the water pressure from the break eroded the soil under Bridge Street, causing part of the road to cave in.
Other utilities such as telephone and electric are assessing whether their lines have been affected.
On Saturday, Water and Sewer Commission crews shut of the water, stabilized the area, and tied over the water service so Tower Square would have water over the weekend.
Water main breaks may occur because of many contributing factors including: shifting soils and erosion of soils supporting the pipe, fluctuating temperatures causing metal expansions and contractions, pipe corrosion or rust, age of the pipe, evacuations that disturb the area around the pipe, and/or vibrations from heavy traffic, the spokeswoman said.
In 2013, the commission responded to 47 water main breaks, including 32 that occurred in the colder months of January, February, November and December.