Why part of Ogden Avenue in Naperville could be ice-covered for days

The combination of a water main break and extremely cold temperatures is expected to cause icy conditions on a portion of Ogden Avenue in Naperville until this weekend, authorities said Wednesday.

The westbound lanes of Ogden between Washington and Mill streets are icy because of a water main that broke at 4 a.m. Wednesday in the area, city spokeswoman Linda LaCloche said. Contractors are working to fix the broken main with a clamp, she said.

Despite "extensive" treatments by public works crews, the city said this stretch of Ogden remains icy because road salt is ineffective at the dangerously cold temperatures that are expected to continue into Thursday.

With temperatures predicted to remain below freezing until the weekend, public works crews warn the four-block stretch of Ogden near the center of the city could remain ice-covered until the deep freeze subsides.

Eastbound lanes of Ogden are unaffected.