Traffic on Western Avenue in Augusta was diverted during the start of the evening commute Wednesday as crews finished repairs to a broken water main.

Westbound traffic was reduced to one lane in the area of the Valero convenience store after a contractor working on a new motel damaged the line.

Repair of the water main was expected to be completed around 5 p.m., said Seth McGee, of McGee Construction. Traffic was flowing freely again by 5:30 p.m. after westbound traffic had been squeezed from two lanes into one.

Superintendent Brian Tarbuck, of the Greater Augusta Utility District, said businesses in the area were subjected to lower water pressure until the line was repaired.

“This should not be low enough to activate fire alarm systems, but the Fire Department needs to know about a sub-optimal pressure condition in this area,” Tarbuck said.

Tarbuck said a contractor — which turned out to be McGee Construction — broke the water main in the process of installing new drinking water service to the Homewood Suites motel, which is under construction. The break occurred around noon.

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McGee said the lane was closure already had been scheduled to accommodate the water main work. The closure was supposed to end at 3 p.m., but the broken main pushed that timetable back a couple of hours

“The only difference was we had to go longer than 3,” McGee said.

McGee said the lane is scheduled to be closed from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday as crews re-pave the section of road.

Craig Crosby — 621-5642

ccrosby@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @CraigCrosby4


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