Water main break closes part of Route 31 in Elgin

A water main break shut down part of Route 31 in Elgin Monday afternoon. The road is closed from Wing Street to Big Timber Road and motorists are being advised to avoid the area.

Public Works Superintendent Dan Rich said the main broke shortly after 2 p.m. in the 700 block of North State Street (Route 31.) Rich said there could have been any combination of reasons that caused the pipe to break but ultimately it was old and gave out.

A portion of Route 31 buckled from the break, which will mean a second round of repairs.

“We anticipate that the repair of the main will take upward of six hours,” Rich said. “After which we’ll have crews out effecting the road repairs.”

Route 31 will be closed throughout the evening rush hour period but Rich hopes the street will be passable by morning.