A 36-inch water main break closed schools, restaurants and northbound Route 206 in Somerset County on Wednesday.
Although southbound 206 has reopened, Manville police say northbound 206 will be closed from South Bridge Street to Somerset Street for at least the next three days while crews continue to make repairs.
The water main break caused headaches throughout the day for local schools, businesses and people trying to travel around the area.
The break happened just before 7 a.m. Tuesday and also had a major impact on downtown Somerville. Restaurants and coffee shops like the Ambee Coffee Company, owned by Steve Chiocchi were forced by the county health department to close for the day.
“Obviously it’s inconvenient, it’s a beautiful fall day here. We’d probably do really good sales today,” Chiocchi says.
Also affected were local schools that had to shut down for the day. School will be back in session on Thursday, but students are being asked to bring bottled water.
Service and pressure have been restored systemwide, however, customers in Bridgewater, Raritan and Somerville are under a boil water advisory. The next update from officials will come Thursday.