Major Deegan Expressway reopens in both directions in the Bronx following water main break
The Major Deegan Expressway has been reopened in both directions from West 230th Street to Van Cortlandt Park South in the Bronx following an earlier water main break, officials said Wednesday.
Chopper 2 was over the scene and saw a large hole in the roadway on Van Cortlandt Park South in Riverdale. The Department of Environmental Protection said a private contractor, Metropolitan Water and Sewer, was working at a building under construction at the site when it struck a 24-inch distribution main.
The DEP says it was able to isolate the break and reroute the water supply so no businesses, buildings, or households are currently without water, but a nearby construction site was inundated with water. Millions of gallons were sent gushing into the construction site, threatening the stability of a 300-foot tall tower crane.
Crane caused concern
The FDNY feared the crane might fall, and ordered evacuations and closure of the Major Deegan Expressway for several hours. The 1 subway line on nearby elevated tracks was ordered to slow down. The block near the crane was cleared over concerns about its stability.
An engineer was called to scene and deemed the crane safe after using a drone to get a closer look, and looking through a device called a transit to detect if it was wobbling. Three hours later, the crane was pronounced stable, and restrictions were lifted.
The construction site is for a a new public school and housing. Neighbors want the Department of Buildings to keep a closer eye on the job site. They say it's disruptive, and are concerned about being in the shadow of that crane.
The timeline for repairs at the site is to be determined, the DEP said.
No injuries were reported.
The water main break caused a standstill on the Deegan from the Westchester County line north, and south of the impacted area vehicles were being rerouted onto West 230th Street, causing a bumper-to-bumper traffic.
