About 100,000 gallons of water flooded all lanes of McBean Parkway Wednesday morning after a 16-inch water main ruptured in Valencia.
Although the release of water was stopped, pipeline repairs on McBean Parkway, between Newhall Ranch Road and Decoro Drive were expected to last all day. The southbound lanes of McBean along that stretch are expected to remain closed while repairs are made.
About 9 a.m. Wednesday, a water main called a “distribution transmission mainline” ruptured under McBean Parkway near Cottage Circle and Fairview Drive, Denis Wolcott, spokesman for the Valencia Water Company said.
Motorists traveling south on McBean who had to merge left because of public works crews working in the right lane, found themselves driving through lanes flooded with spilled water.
Firefighters with the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the “water flow alarm” about 9 a.m., Fire Department Inspector Gustavo Medina told The Signal.
“We put in a request to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station to help us with traffic,” he said, noting firefighters got to the scene at 9:09 a.m.
Works crews with the Valencia Water Company were also dispatched to the scene, Wolcott said.
“Valencia Water Company crews are on the scene conducting repairs,” he said.
“The Valencia Water Company is working with the City of Santa Clarita to direct traffic and is encouraging motorists to seek alternate routes as crews are conducting repairs in the southbound lanes of McBean,” Wolcott said.
That section of southbound McBean is closed between Decoro Drive and Newhall Ranch Road.
Repairs are expected to be completed by the end of today.
“This was a 16-inch water main that ruptured,” Wolcott said. “Valencia Water Company appreciates the public’s patience during this repair.
“The amount of water loss is estimated to be about 100,000 gallons, which flowed into nearby storm drains that eventually reach the river or recharge the local aquifer.
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