Road Work Underway After Massive Water Main Break In Miami Beach Causes Ground To Crater
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Crews are working Monday night to fix a road that cratered after a massive water main break that forced some Miami Beach residents out of their homes.
Chopper4 was over the scene at 74th Street and Carlyle Avenue.
"It's an emergency. We have to be patient," resident Andrea Ancuatte said.
That neighbor didn't have water for several hours Monday night.
The gushing water caused the ground the crater.
CBS4's Ty Russell learned it had gotten so bad that city officials asked residents of at least one building to evacuate temporarily.
Since then, the building of about two dozen apartments is now occupied again. But those residents are being told to boil their water until further notice.
Ancuatte wasn't forced to leave her building. However, during the time she didn't have water, she depended on her hurricane supplies.
"Luckily, I have water from the hurricane, I have plenty of water at home. So, I'm going to use that water," she said.
Several roads have been closed off as public works crews work to shut off multiple water valves. However, no major roadways in the North Beach area were impacted.
The pipe has stopped spewing water, but it's unclear when the road will be repaired.
"As soon as they can do it. I don't want to put a time limit on it because they're working in the dark. It's challenging," City Manager Jimmy Morales said.
City leaders said a busted an 8 to 10-inch water line is to blame, but it's unknown what caused the break.
Morales also admitted that pipe has given the city issues before.
"That pipe, there was a fix. I don't know how long ago," he said.
The pipe only spilled water people drink and shower with, so neighbors are thankful it wasn't a smelly situation.
The city said it will ultimately replace the aging pipes in the area. That's a part of a massive citywide long-term project ongoing now.
