Water should be restored to affected buildings by Friday evening and Allandale Road will be partially reopened by Saturay afternoon, following a watermain break Friday morning.
The power of the break was so great, that a mini-van that passed over it, was lifted off the ground.
Deputy Manager of Public Works, Lynnann Winsor provided an update to media this afternoon. She says the 16 inch watermain dates to 1998, which is not considered old.
The cause of the break is not known at this time.
She says the break could be as the result of any number of causes, including the way it was laid, weakness in the pipe, or a surge in the system.
Work is expected to continue until midnight Saturday.
The City of St. John’s say that area residents may experience low pressure, loss of water or discoloured water while work continues. Residents that experience discoloured water are advised to run the cold water tap in their bathtub untill it clears.
Lynnann Winsor , Deputy City Manager with city of St. John’s says the water has been restored to all locations except the Confederation Building which is expected to have water service restored later this evening @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/78Clt7WKzx
— AmyFitzpatrickVOCM (@AmyVocm) September 20, 2019
Earlier story:
A main artery in the northeast end is closed after a massive sinkhole suddenly opened this morning with enough force to send a mini-van airborne.
Allandale Road became a river at about 9:30, resulting in the closure of Confederation Building, colleges and other facilities which were without water.
About 30 city workers are on site assessing the damage.
Traffic on the Parkway is not affected but Allandale remains closed, but city officials say it should reopen to one lane traffic by Saturday afternoon.
Rodney Terry was on the spot when the water burst through the pavement with such force, it lifted a passing minivan into the air.
Dramatic video of the water main break and resultant sinkhole on Allandale Road this morning submitted by VOCM listener Rodney Terry, who witnessed a minivan lift into the air when the water burst through the pavement #nltraffic pic.twitter.com/3QbXkWGiLb
— VOCM News (@VOCMNEWS) September 20, 2019
Terry told VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly he saw it happen, and went to the driver, who was shaking.
He asked her if she was alright and she indicated she didn’t know what happened. When they went up the road to investigate, all they saw was a “torrent of water”.
The section of asphalt lifted as I drove over it causing me to be catapulted. Scariest moment of my life. I had no idea what was happening. https://t.co/S6aghZXSoZ
— tara mavin (@tarawarren89) September 20, 2019
Terry says the force of the water was unbelievable.
He says all four of her tires came off the ground.
The water picked up debris and gravel before emptying into Long Pond, discolouring the body of water. The dirty water has since found its way to Rennie’s River, which empties into Quidi Vidi Lake.
