HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A water main break has caused a shutdown at Staples Mill Road in western Henrico County.
One side of Staples Mill Road is currently closed near West Broad Street as crews work to repair the water main. A detour is directing traffic along Libbie Avenue and Bethlehem Road.
Currently, no customers have experienced a loss in water service however, Henrico DPU says some may experience reduced pressure.
The Henrico County Department of Public Utilities (DPU) initiated road repairs and reported that roads were expected to reopen by 6 a.m. Friday.
Around 6:30 a.m. on Friday morning, Henrico Police released an update explaining that Staples Mill Road was still closed.
Around 9 a.m., it was reported that the southbound lanes had been reopened but the westbound lanes remained closed.
“I can confirm that the southbound lanes of Staples Mill Road in the area are now open,” said Director of Henrico DPU Bentley Chan. “The north/northwest-bound lanes are now being repaved and we’re expecting these lanes to be reopened later today/early tomorrow morning.”
Vehicles are permitted westbound on Staples Mill Road from Libbie Lake South Street and eastbound on Staples Mill Road from Massie Road.
“It is recommended to avoid Staples Mill Road between Bethlehem Road and W. Broad Street to the best of your ability. If you must travel to businesses or residences in the area, please seek alternate routes, obey all the traffic direction devices in place, and be observant for workers that may be in the roadway,” a spokesperson with the Henrico County Police Division said. “Please slow your speeds around this area. Thank you for your patience as crews continue to safely replace the damaged roadway.”
According to DPU, the break was longitudinal, involving a 10-foot-long stretch of the pipe. The pipe has now been repaired and the water is back on, however, crews are working to repave the road.
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the cause of the water main break was still unknown.
