Parts of Butler Street to remain closed

Portions of Butler Street in Upper Lawrenceville will remain closed for a week, officials said Friday, as crews repair a water main break that has caused detours through a major roadway.

The street is closed between the 62nd Street Bridge and 57th Street until March 18 as Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority crews assess the damage caused by a 42-inch water main break in the 6200 block of Butler Street that flooded the street and nearby buildings on Thursday.

Only a few buildings were without water Friday morning, PWSA spokesperson Mora McLaughlin said, specifically two duplexes along Butler Street. Both of them were to have service back on by Friday afternoon.

Ms. McLaughlin said crews estimated the detour would stay in place until repair work is completed.

While the break happened to a particularly large main, which resulted in gushing water flowing out into the street, the repairs needed appear to be standard, Ms. McLaughlin said.

Crews were still excavating the area Friday.

Eastbound traffic on Butler was detoured to the 40th Street Bridge to Route 28 North to access Sharpsburg or the 62nd Street Bridge. Inbound traffic on Route 28 must take the 40th Street Bridge to access Butler Street.

PennDOT spokesman Steve Cowan said he wasn’t notified of any significant traffic or delays along Butler Street on Friday, saying multiple local roadways were still open and many commuters were likely aware of the detour due to significant media coverage.

The full extent of the damage to the surrounding area, buildings and roadway was also unclear on Friday.