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Posted on Fri, Jan 20, 2012 : 9:43 a.m.

City crews respond to water main break on Plymouth Road

By Paula Gardner

Ann Arbor emergency crews responded to a water main break that occurred on the city's northeast side Friday morning.

Officials said the break happened at about 8 a.m. along Plymouth Road near Commonwealth, in front of Plymouth Green Shopping Center.

According to Denny Zink, water department field operations supervisor, one business and five Plymouth road homes were without water.

He said the business, Flagstar Bank, and the homes can expect the water main repaired and functioning between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. this afternoon. One westbound lane could be closed until 7:30 p.m., he said, but the exact time frame is uncertain.

The cause of the main break was unknown, according to Zink.

In addition, some nearby businesses have had their water pressure affected, according to initial reports.

The Flagstar Bank branch at the corner of Plymouth and Commonwealth is open, but the location doesn't have running water, an employee said.

An employee at Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea said the water pressure dipped low earlier this morning, but returned to normal by about 10:30. Carson's is open for business, a representative said.

A water-main break in the same area was reported on Feb. 8, 2011, when city staff had to close Plymouth Road for an hour.

Danny Shaw contributed to this report and can be reached at DannyShaw@AnnArbor.com

Comments

clownfish

Sat, Jan 21, 2012 : 2:37 p.m.

What I did not see was any .com posters out helping fix the water main in the 10 degree cold. Where were all of the experts from .com with their money saving advice and willingness to do the job for less money and benefits?

A2James

Fri, Jan 20, 2012 : 11:24 p.m.

FUN FACTS (approximate costs): New water main installation and labor: $500,000 per quarter mile HAWK pedestrian light systems: $80 to $120,000 Ann Arbor City Council's major art purchases in the past year: $900,000

63Townie

Fri, Jan 20, 2012 : 8:53 p.m.

Great, another break where the road was resurfaced. Perhaps next time a major road is slated for repair the underlying utilities can be fixed before fresh pavement is compromised again. The patches never hold up.

jbhuron

Fri, Jan 20, 2012 : 6:19 p.m.

The city should spend some of their "art" budget and put an installation on the side of plymouth for all the people stuck in traffic to enjoy.

justcurious

Fri, Jan 20, 2012 : 5:14 p.m.

Actually, I heard the dispatcher say that the water department had said there was a problem in the area around 6 am. They probably have computers that can tell them if there is a problem. Maybe the actual break happened later. I remember thinking "this could be a real mess for rush hour".

actionjackson

Fri, Jan 20, 2012 : 3:54 p.m.

Is there any speculation that these repairs or the original work has been faulty? Does the city look into contractor's reports, city inspections, and code for water main work in these situations?

Audion Man

Fri, Jan 20, 2012 : 6:56 p.m.

You expect Ann Arbor.com to look into stuff like this? Their job is to hype every new Subway that opens within a 30 mile radius of Ann Arbor, not to investigate anything...

deb

Fri, Jan 20, 2012 : 3:41 p.m.

good thing the city spent money redoing the sewer for the U of M's new parking structure

Jenna

Fri, Jan 20, 2012 : 3:20 p.m.

Traffic is insane when it backs up highways both directions because traffic on Plymouth Road won't follow the traffic lights and let anyone off the highway. Where are the police to help regulate? I only saw one patrol car around the water main break.

a2baggagehandler

Fri, Jan 20, 2012 : 8:13 p.m.

Very well said

SuperiorMother

Fri, Jan 20, 2012 : 3:11 p.m.

Has the traffic light issue at the Plymouth Road exit from NB 23 been resolved? It was flashing red from 7:30 until at least 9:30, exacerbating the traffic problems caused by the water main break. I would recommend avoiding the area entirely this morning.

ranger007

Fri, Jan 20, 2012 : 3:09 p.m.

I think one happened last year at the same spot

grye

Fri, Jan 20, 2012 : 3:08 p.m.

This is the 3rd water main break in the same area since the repaving of Plymouth Road. Need to get a handle on it so all the new pavement doesn't have to be dug up.