Lynn suffers third major water main break in month

LYNN – Just in time for another major snowstorm, a large water main break turned the Lynnway into a pond Sunday as thousands of gallons of water spouted through the road bringing traffic to a standstill.The pipe broke at about 4 p.m. near the intersection of Marine Boulevard and Shepard Street. State Police allowed traffic to slowly drive through the liquid mess.One southbound lane of the Lynnway would be closed through Monday morning as crews repaired the damaged pipe, said Ken Harris, a Lynn Water and Sewer Department employee.The water was between six and eight inches deep on the Lynnway and Shepard Street by 4:30 p.m. Sunday, but it appeared that LWSD crews brought the water levels down by then.Workers at nearby businesses, including Honey Dew Donuts and Ang’s Pizza reported no water problems immediately after the pipe broke. No homes or businesses reported having any water flow problems, Harris said.Many motorists appeared to cut through the Price Rite parking lot and take a right onto Shepard Street through nearly eight inches of water to avoid the Lynnway. Some people in SUVs drove over curbs and grass onto the property of the Connery Memorial Ice Rink to dodge driving though the large puddle.An electronic sign is expected to be placed on the Lynnway to help drivers during Monday’s commute, Harris said.A major snowstorm is expected to dump between five and 10 inches of snow on the area on Monday morning.Sunday’s major water main break was the third the city has experienced this month. On Dec. 8 a break occurred at the intersection of Broad and Spring streets and on Dec 22, a pipe burst on Parkland Avenue.