SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- Several roadways and parts of busy freeways in the downtown San Diego area were closed Monday morning as public utilities crews worked to repair multiple water main breaks.
According to the California Highway Patrol, at around 7 p.m. Sunday, water from a ruptured pipe along state Route 163 broke through the windshield and passenger side window of an Uber vehicle traveling on the ramp from SR-163 to northbound Interstate 5. The incident caused an unknown injury to the rideshare’s passenger, the CHP reported.
As of 6 a.m. Monday, Caltrans said northbound I-5 lanes at Hawthorn Street and the transition from southbound SR-163 to northbound I-5 remained closed.
Earlier Sunday afternoon, at around 3:30 p.m., repair crews were called to the East Village in response to a water main break on 11th Avenue and A Street.
City officials said a 24-inch concrete steel pipe broke, sending water flowing down streets.
The rushing water from the break flooded a Shell gas station parking lot on A Street and seeped into the first floor of a high rise building nearby.
Crews were able to shut off the main, but because water service was disrupted for businesses and residents in the immediate area, a city spokesman said water wagons were made available for customers at 11th Avenue and B Street, as well as at Ash and 10th avenues.
City officials told ABC 10News the repairs were expected to be completed by the start of the Monday evening commute.
Some residents living in the high-rise buildings near 11th Avenue and A Street are hopeful the situation is resolved so they can get water service back.
As crews worked to replace the broken pipe, residents like Phil Korngold were keeping eye on the progress.
Korngold said, “I’m just trying to go with the flow of things. I’ve been watching, they’ve been doing a good job. I’m glad they managed to control it.”
Korngold told ABC 10News that he has taken advantage of the water wagons, adding, “I’ve been down here several times with a big pail and a pasta pot.”
