Water main break closes streets in Downtown Dallas

DALLAS - A water main break caused quite a bit of chaos in Downtown Dallas on Friday, closing some of the busiest streets in the city.

The break happened just before 7 a.m. Officials said a 12-inch cast iron pipeline broke and started spewing water onto Elm and St. Paul streets. The water flooded the streets and some of it flowed into nearby basements and electrical vaults.

Elm Street was closed between Ervay to Akard streets and Saint Paul Street was closed between Pacific to Main streets. Some Dallas Area Rapid Transit buses were delayed throughout the day due to diverted routes.

Utility workers were forced to temporarily shut off the power to the area and water service was also turned off for two affected buildings.

Baristas at Starbucks inside 1700 Pacific called it a day and closed up shop when water pressure all but disappeared. Other food outlets inside the building’s food court were able to keep operating.

Guests at the Cambria Hotel wondered what to do without water, including a family from South Carolina in town to celebrate a wedding.

“I don’t know how the women are going to get their hair done and everybody’s going to shower but we’ll figure it out. It’s not the Cambria’s fault, things just happen,” said guest Derrick Wallace.

Hallie Jennerman was in town from Wisconsin to support his son in a martial arts competition. He decided to move to another hotel.

“Well we have to walk two blocks down the road to get a hotel because our car is in valet parking and can’t get it out right now. So we had to check out, check into a new place,” Jennerman said. “Other than that it’s not so bad, could’ve been a lot worse.”

Dallas officials said workers isolated the problem and were able to restore water service about 3 p.m. Friday. Repairs to the roads were set to be done by nightfall.