Water main break closes Route 88 in Monongahela
A major water line break resulted in the closure of Route 88 in Monongahela Monday.
Washington County 911 reported receiving a call about the rupture of a Pennsylvania American Water line near the intersection of Route 88 and Route 481 in Mon City at 10:30 a.m. Monday, also noting roadway damage caused by the break.
Pennsylvania American Water External Affairs Manager Gary Lobaugh said Monday afternoon that approximately 375 customers had low or no water pressure and said that service would be restored by late Monday evening.
Lobaugh said that one lane of traffic was open between Railroad Street and 1st Street in the work area as of Monday afternoon.
The pipe that broke was an approximately 60-year-old cement line pipe, Lobaugh reported, indicating that aging infrastructure caused the break, which he added occurred around 10 a.m. on a 12-inch water main on East Main Street.
Lobaugh said that normal traffic patterns would be restored by Tuesday morning’s rush hour.
Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority informed riders Monday morning that travel in and out of Monongahela via Route 88 near Sheetz was completely closed, announcing that Commuter A and Valley 1 buses would be detoured around the closure via 481.
Commuter A and Valley 1 buses would be detoured to and from Monongahela via Route 481 to Coyle Curtain Road, the MMVTA announced.
The water line rupture resulted in the Commuter A bus not having access in either direction to Route 88 between Monongahela and Coyle Curtain Road, precluding stops near Mon Valley Hospital or at Giant Eagle.
Valley 1 would be heavily delayed due to this detour in both directions, the MMVTA cautioned.