North New Castle News

City of Wilmington issued the following announcement on Feb  26.

Break was in a low-service line that dates to 1875; crews have capped the leak; no City water customers were affected

Department of Public Works crews have managed to cap a large water main leak that occurred this morning in Downtown Wilmington at the intersection of 11th and Orange Streets. A 3-foot section of the water line ruptured and crews will work through the night to repair the broken main. Public Works hopes to have the intersection reopened to traffic by 6 a.m. Wednesday to accommodate morning rush hour traffic.  

Meanwhile, motorists and pedestrians should still avoid this intersection. Orange Street remains closed between 10th and 12th Streets while 11th Street remains closed to all eastbound traffic at West Street. All lanes of westbound 12th Street, however, are open at this hour.

The City’s Public Works Department determined that the water main break occurred along a 20-inch main that dates to 1875. This water main is what is referred to as a low-service line and no customers were affected by today’s water main break. There are three major water mains in this intersection, so crews had to proceed cautiously to determine what occurred and the best method to repair it.

Again, motorists and pedestrians should avoid the area of 11th and Orange Streets.

Original source can be found here.