Pueblo’s MLK bypass on US 50 closed in both directions after water main break Tuesday
Sadie Buggle
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – Drivers in Pueblo will likely want to leave plenty of spare time to get to work or school this morning. US 50 is currently shut down in both directions due to a water main break, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Pueblo Water.
According to COTrip.org, crews shut down US 50 at approximately 2:52 a.m. on Tuesday.
The water main break is on the westbound side of the MLK Bypass, to the right of the shoulder, where the gushing water created a large hole in the ground just west of the interchange of Highway 47 and Highway 96.
However, drivers are also being detoured off the Bypass onto those highways — partly because of water that temporarily flooded part of the highway under the interchange.
Officials say the initial indications are that the break hasn’t undermined the stability of the two highway traffic lanes.
“Crews stopped the leak and are waiting on equipment to get the roads clear and free of debris,” said Joe Cervi, a spokesman for Pueblo Water. “It was a 20-inch water main that broke. As of 7:45 a.m., our crews haven’t pinpointed the leak, but they believe they know where it is. It’s deep, almost ten feet down.”
CDOT and Pueblo Public Works are providing equipment, Cervi explained, to remove debris and ice formed by the gushing water.
Cervi said that Pueblo Water hopes to reopen the eastbound lanes by noon and reopen at least one westbound lane along the repair area later.
The closure extends between Amarillo Avenue just past the 29th Street exit, around a three-mile stretch of the highway. Drivers traveling westbound are asked to detour at Exit 321 to Paul Harvey Boulevard, while eastbound drivers are advised to take Exit 318 to CO 47.
Cervi said that the first came just before 2 a.m., when the Pueblo Industrial Park reported a drop in water pressure, and passing drivers saw the leak shortly after that.
KRDO13’s Road Warrior, Scott Harrison, is at the scene and will provide updates throughout the morning.
Courtesy: CoTrip
This is a developing story. We will continue to update this article as more information becomes available.