[Updated] Crews from the Metropolitan District Commission have repaired a large water main break on Park Road near the entrance ramp to I-84.

At 2:30 p.m., crews were still working to repair a 12-inch water main break on Park Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Ronni Newton

Update

MDC spokesperson Kerry Martin advised at 3:24 p.m. that water service had been restored to the two impacted residences.

Repairs to the roadway continue, and traffic is still congested.

Original Story

A 12-inch water main break in West Hartford has snarled traffic in an area that was already congested due to construction on Park Road Road as part of the project to improve the intersection with I-84 and relocate the exit 43 off ramp.

The water main break occurred shortly after 11:30 a.m. Thursday just east of the intersection of Park Road and Raymond Road.

West Hartford Project Engineer Greg Sommer said that the break happened while Connecticut Natural Gas crews were working to abandon an old gas main to a residence on Park Road which was no longer needed because a new main had been installed last year.

Sommer said that CNG’s work was not directly related to work taking place on the Park Road/I-84 ramp construction project, but occurred in the work zone, and greatly added to existing traffic congestion.

MDC spokesperson Kerry Martin said that crews shut off the water service at 12:40 p.m., and two homes are currently impacted. “Repairs are expected to take from two to four hours and be complete between 3 and 5 p.m. today,” she said in an email.

West Hartford Police Lt. Michael Perruccio said that a lane was opened westbound on Park Road to allow traffic to access to I-84 and Raymond Road. One lane of traffic is also getting by eastbound, but very slowly.

Although traffic is getting by, “we strongly encourage people to stay out of the area,” Perruccio cautioned.

Sommer suggested that motorists use an alternate exit to enter or exit I-84. Exits 41, 42, or 44.

Updates will be provided as further information is received.

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