Public works truck sinks as street gives way with water main break
A major break in the water main under the portion of Belvedere Avenue between Dixon and Franklin streets left the surrounding blocks without water for much of Memorial Day morning – and the underground erosion from the leak caused a village public works truck to partially fall through the street.
Sal Stella, public works director, told the Review that the six-inch cast iron pipe under the street broke early that morning. Water rushed out of the five-foot-long hole, which not only caused the water pressure to drop and sent some of the water rushing out onto the street, but caused what is known as “undermining.” The ground beneath the pavement was washed away, causing the ground and the street to sink.
When the public works truck arrived on the scene and tried to park, it partially fell through the pavement and got stuck in the watery slush. Stella told the Review that the driver wasn’t injured, and Nobs Towing company was able to get the truck out. He said that while public works was able to replace the water main and restore water service, repairing the street will take a bit longer.