Worker hits downtown water main
By Ty Johnson
Published in News on August 6, 2012 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/TY JOHNSON
Looking north on Center Street, water flows into a storm drain from a newly created lake this morning. Construction workers on the Streetscape project struck a water main, causing a leak that one witness said sent water shooting 30 feet into the air until it was brought under control.
Construction workers on the Center Street Streetscape project caused a flash flood along the 200 north block of Center Street this morning when they accidentally struck a water main in front of The Little Bank near the Mulberry Street intersection.
Water flowed heavily into a storm drain in the southbound lane near the northeast corner of the intersection while standing water stretched as far north as Historic City Hall. A smaller pool formed in the northbound lane as well.
That portion of the street has been closed since construction began on the project May 15. The purpose of the renovation is to widen sidewalks and to create a pathway in the median while beautifying the downtown area.
Traffic was able to flow naturally through both the Ash Street roundabout and along Mulberry Street this morning.
One witness reported the water shot 30 feet in the air for about 20 minutes before workers were able to correct it. Water was still gurgling from the main nearly an hour later.
Goldsboro Public Information Officer Kim Best said this morning that the damage was limited to the west side of the road, where a construction official was going door-to-door to find out what properties had been affected by the water damage.
"They're evaluating the damage. They will know the extent of the damage once they get it drained," Mrs. Best said.
She said the crews hoped to have it repaired by lunch. Construction on the project is expected to be completed Oct. 15.