Springfield water main break affects traffic

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - An eight inch high-pressure underground water line burst beneath the pavement on Stafford Street in Springfield.

It's a traffic concern for Tuesday morning's commute.

Sgt. Dennis Prior told 22News that sometime between 1:30 and 2:30 A.M. Tuesday morning, officers saw water bubbling through the road on Stafford Street. Sgt. Prior said a portion of the road buckled.

As a result, Stafford Street was blocked off from Goodrich Street up to the rotary entrance on Armory St.

Rotary traffic will not be able to travel down Stafford Street to access Mercy Medical Center's emergency room entrance. Drivers are asked to use either Carew or Chestnut Streets instead.

Only two homes were affected by the break, and Kathy Pederson of the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission told 22News she expects water to be restored to those homes by noon.

Sgt. Prior told 22News that usually with a significant water main break, the asphalt of the road erodes away and the road collapses when the water is shut off. In this case, there was a 6 foot deep sinkhole.