BOSTON — A major water main break that caused massive flooding and building evacuations at the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and Exeter Street Monday night has created issues for commuters as utility crews make repairs.
Boston Fire said the break happened around 9:40 p.m., and about an hour later, six buildings had been evacuated due to water in the basements. Police closed the intersection to traffic as water gushed through the streets.
#BPDTrafficAdvisory: Commonwealth Ave is closed to motorists and pedestrians from Dartmouth St. to Exeter St. and reopened at Fairfield St. Motorists are being redirected to Beacon St for access to Kenmore. Comm Ave inbound is open from Massachusetts Avenue to the Public Gardens.
— Boston Police Dept. (@bostonpolice) March 12, 2019
Daylight shows Commonwealth Avenue at Exeter St. outbound torn up. Massive hole where water main broke Monday night. Repairs hope to be completed by afternoon rush. Live reports on scene and @CatherineNews will get you through the a.m. commute. @boston25
— Joy Dumandan (@JoyDumandanTV) March 12, 2019
WATCH LIVEIntersection of Commonwealth Avenue and Exeter Street shut down due to water main break in Boston.
Posted by Boston 25 News on Monday, March 11, 2019
Water in the area was shut off around 10:30 p.m. The Boston Water and Sewer Commission said early Tuesday that water would remain off "indefinitely" to buildings on Commonwealth Avenue, between Dartmouth and Exeter streets as crews begin digging into the streets to repair the water line.
Here is a look underground at work being done in the Back Bay after a major Water Main break. 20 ft of pipe needs to be replaced. Comm Ave and Exeter St outbound closed. Several without water indefinitely. Live reports this a.m. @boston25
— Joy Dumandan (@JoyDumandanTV) March 12, 2019
📷: @BOSTON_WATER pic.twitter.com/ow8QwHmRuC
BWSC water and sewer operations pros working hard, widening hole to make repairs to 16 inch main running down Exeter St at Comm outbound. Crew making more room to work as gas main set just above the spot where the main is broken.
— BWSC (@BOSTON_WATER) March 12, 2019
Boston: Comm Ave @ Exeter, large water main break affecting both sides of Comm Ave. surrounding streets are shut down. Avoid area @bostonpolice #Boston25 pic.twitter.com/EUKAjRj4iN
— Mark Parkinson (@MParkBoston25) March 12, 2019
BREAKING: Exeter Street looks like a river after a major water main break. The water floods Comm Ave and into Newbury Street. We’re live @boston25 pic.twitter.com/wORGLIpPgH
— Litsa Pappas (@LitsaPappas) March 12, 2019
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Boston 25 News Chief Meteorologist Kevin Lemanowicz said temperatures would be freezing overnight, potentially creating issues for the morning commute.
Temperature going to freezing overnight https://t.co/O0eH3P3yzC
— Boston 25 Weather (@BOS25Weather) March 12, 2019
There was no word on what led to the water main break or how long it would take to fix.
Cox Media Group