Pipeline Break Closes Busy Midway District Intersection

One of San Diego’s busiest intersections--Midway Drive and Rosecrans Street--will be closed until Thursday because of a break in a water main, officials said Sunday.

Motorists are advised to find an alternate route and leave earlier if their commute takes them into the affected area. Police said traffic around the intersection will be blocked at Sports Arena Boulevard, Bagley Drive, Evergreen Street and East Drive.

San Diego Police Lt. Francis Kenney said the Midway District intersection will remain closed until city crews repair the 16-inch cast-iron water pipe that burst at 4:44 a.m. Sunday. Damage to the street must also be repaired.

San Diego Water Utilities Department spokesman Les Finch said crews expect to have the water pipe repaired by 7 a.m. today. However, Finch said water spilling from the broken pipe caused extensive damage to the street about one block south of Rosecrans and Midway, near the Loma Square shopping center.

“We’re hauling truckloads of mud and asphalt out. The water raised the asphalt up like a large bubble in one area and threw dirt out from underneath the street in other areas, causing parts of the street to sink,” Finch said.

Officials estimate it will take four days to repair the street, Finch said.

The water break also knocked out a 12,000-volt underground power line. A San Diego Gas & Electric spokesman said 2,383 residential and business customers were affected by the power outage for about an hour, beginning at 6 a.m. Sunday.