Lincoln Drive in Mt. Airy reopened

(Updated: 6:30 p.m. Lincoln Drive was reopened late this afternoon after a water main break forced it to be closed between Greene and McCallum Streets. The only sign left that something had happened here was a layer of dust illuminated by car headlights tonight.The city laid down a thin layer salt or dirt to soak up the remaining water.)

 

A broken water main along Lincoln Drive in Mt. Airy has shut down traffic in both directions since early this morning. The pipe burst at around 5:30 a.m. on the 6600 block of the busy roadway near Greene Street, leaving 25 residents without water. The stretch between Greene and McCallum Streets is closed to motorists.

Philadelphia Water Department spokesman John DiGiulio said the pipes likely froze and cracked after several frigid nights. Crews are currently in the process of repairing the pipe, which typically takes 4-6 hours. “We’re hoping to have things open by rush hour,” said DiGiulio.

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal