N.C. Highway 55 has reopened in both directions as a large water main break continues to impact 50,000 customers in Cary and Morrisville on Monday.
Before noon, the town of Cary said N.C. 55 reopened to two northbound lanes and one southbound lane between the Jenks Road/Old Jenks Road intersection and the Lewey Drive/Turner Creek Road intersection.
The town said the 30-inch water main break occurred in the early hours of the morning. The issue is impacting roughly 50,000 customers in the “central pressure zone,” which covers the majority of Cary.
“It is in a growing area of town, which means we changed the configuration on it some, and that could have played an impact,” said Jamie Revels of the Cary Utilities Department. He said the waterline is made of iron pipes and that while they are about 35 years old, they are within their lifespan. “That is something we’ll certainly be investigating as we get more in-depth after we complete the repair.”
© Town of Cary
On Monday afternoon, officials advised people in the central zone to boil their water vigorously for one minute before using it for drinking, cooking or brushing their teeth, out of an abundance of caution. Bottled water can also be used.
“Low water pressure can create conditions that may allow bacteria to enter the water system,” the town of Cary wrote. “No harmful bacteria have been detected in the water system.”
A photo from the WRAL Breaking News Tracker before sunrise on Monday showed part of an embankment washed away near a drainage structure, with soil and concrete covering the road.
© WRAL
Early Monday morning, the town reported N.C. Highway 55 was closed in both directions
between the Jenks Road/Old Jenks Road intersection and the Lewey
Drive/Turner Creek Road intersection. As of 11 a.m., one lane had reopened in each direction. The right lane in the eastbound direction is expected to remain closed into the afternoon.
Many Cary and Morrisville schools were dismissed early as a precaution because the water pressure at more than 20 schools is affected by the 30-inch water main break. Water fountains and bottle-filling stations are closed at the affected schools.
Local spraygrounds at parks and fountains were also closed.
© WRAL
Drivers should be cautious when passing through the area, as crews remain on site.
Many Cary restaurants announced they will be closed Monday night due to the system pressure advisory. Water test results are expected in the early morning hours on Tuesday.
Cary restaurants closed Monday:
SaapThe Walk UpChick-fil-A , Stone Creek VillageChick-fil-A, Harrison SquareSimmer Coffee House
© WRAL
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