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24-Inch Water Main Break Causes Traffic Delays In Baltimore Co.

BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) -- A water main break is causing heavy traffic delays on a major road in Baltimore County. It started Sunday morning on Belair Road and Fowler Avenue.

Amy Yensi has more on the impact it's having.

Many of the people who live in the area have been without water since Sunday morning. The road is blocked off and has been for hours---that's having a ripple effect in terms of traffic. What's worse: residents have no idea when things will get back to normal.

Gallons of water gushed out of the cracked slabs of concrete on Belair Road and Fowler Avenue.

"I heard a loud boom and shortly after that, I went outside and there was just water gushing out of the street and the street had caved in," said Barbara Hagerman, who lives nearby.

"It was coming up like the Old Faithful geyser," said Donald Brooks, who has no water.

The water main break happened Sunday morning and has left unsuspecting residents without power and with major traffic delays. The State Highway Administration has closed all lanes at the flooded intersection.

"It's a big hole in the ground right at the top of the street with a lot of water coming from it," said Michael Butt.

Crews work to contain the spilling water that's turning the street into a stream. The roadway is a major artery moving commuters in and out of Baltimore County.

People say the road closures will make commuting longer and more complicated.

"The only way to get to 95 and 695 is probably like a five mile detour backwards," Butt said.

Residents worry that the needed repairs may not be completed in time for the Monday morning commute.

"They just said it'll be at least until sometime late tonight before water gets restored to our neighborhood, which is all the way back by Northern Parkway," Brooks said.

We reached out to DPW to see how many residents and businesses are affected; we're still waiting to hear back.

Drivers are urged to take Harford Road and Taylor Avenue as alternate routes.

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