River Road Won't Open Monday
More cracks found in a water main in Bethesda
Saturday, Dec 27, 2008 | Updated 11:30 AM EDT
AP
If you take River Road in Bethesda to work, make alternate plans Monday. There are more cracks in the water main that stranded cars like this one.
More cracks found in a water main that broke along River Road mean the road won't open by Monday's morning rush hour, said officials for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission.
WSSC spokesman John White says the best estimate for reopening the busy commuter artery in Bethesda is the middle of next week.
The pipe broke Tuesday sending a rush of water onto River Road and several motorists had to be rescued from their cars.
It is too early to know the exact cause of the break, but WSSC says there was "considerable corrosion of the pipe" where the break occurred.
Engineers say two other 16-foot sections of the 5½ foot diameter pipe showed cracks and must also be replaced. A fourth section must be replaced to allow access to them.
Copyright Associated Press
