Watch CBS News

Gratiot Avenue 'A Sheet Of Ice' After Water Main Break

EASTPOINTE (WWJ) - Repair crews are fighting negative temperatures while trying to fix a water main break in Eastpointe.

The water main break at Gratiot Avenue and 9 Mile Road was discovered around 9 p.m. Thursday. As a result, the right four lanes on northbound Gratiot Avenue are closed, leaving just one lane open to traffic. Eastbound 9 Mile Road is also closed west of Gratiot.

Tony Price, supervisor of public works in Eastpointe, said crews struggled to work through temperatures that were well below zero overnight. He said the water spilling out from the eight-inch main is quickly freezing over, complicating things even more.

"We're having a difficult time because we've got gas there, we've got fiber optics there, all these street lights are here, I mean, it's like tiptoeing through a landmine field here," Price told WWJ's Mike Campbell, adding that the break probably won't be fixed until later Friday .

With the wind chill factored in, temperatures are hovering around 20 to 15 degrees below zero Friday morning. A Wind Chill Advisory remains in effect through 4 p.m. Friday. [READ MORE]

For the latest from the roads, stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 during Traffic and Weather on the 8s, 24-hours a day. Check for recent traffic incidents now on the CBS Detroit Traffic Page.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.