Repair crews worked Thursday to replace a water main that ruptured north of downtown Los Angeles, flooding streets and the parking lots of a fast-food restaurant and pharmacy.
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power repair crews responded about 11 p.m. Wednesday to the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Beaudry Avenue, on the border of Echo Park, Chinatown and downtown Los Angeles. A total of 10 customers lost water service due to the ruptured 24-inch cast-iron pipe, utility spokeswoman Christy Holland said.
The break opened a sinkhole and sent a torrent of water into the streets, flooding the parking lot of a Jack in the Box and a CVS Pharmacy.
A person on a bicycle rode into the hole, but was not seriously injured, ABC7 reported.
Crews had to shut down the water flow in phases as part of the repair and restoration process. Water service was restored to all residential customers during the morning hours and temporary connections were installed to reroute water service to affected business customers, according to the DWP.
A 5-foot section of pipe was removed and replaced and backfilling and paving of the street was expected to commence about 8 p.m., according to the utility.
Beaudry Avenue was closed between Sunset Boulevard and Temple Street and Sunset Boulevard had one traffic lane open in each direction as repairs continued.
Motorists were advised to use alternate routes to get around the area until the work was complete.