Water main break may affect local businesses

A water main break may be affecting some area businesses in Bonne Terre today. Bonne Terre Police Chief Doug Calvert said that they have had a large water main break in the area of Benham Street from Fite Street.

“The road will temporarily be closed and we will call in emergency locates for gas, electric, telephone and cable,” said Calvert. “Once those get located, crews will start digging up the street to find out where the break is at.”

Benham Street will be closed from Allen Street to Fite Street for the next several hours at least and Calvert recommends that folks avoid the area at this time. The water is bubbling up out of the road and breaking the pavement up in the process. Calvert added that the reason they are shutting down the road is because it isn’t safe for drivers.

“They will shut the main off and the running waters will cause a small problem for drivers until then,” said Calvert. “It could also possibly affect some local businesses while the water main is shut off, but the city will work to get the issue resolved as quickly as possible.”

A city worker said it will take at least a couple of hours to locate and then they will have to make the actual repairs. The road most likely won’t be reopened until much later this afternoon sometime.

A water main break off Benham Street by Miner’s Park in Bonne Terre this afternoon has caused the road to be temporarily shut down from Allen Street to Fite Street.

Renee Bronaugh is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-518-3617 or rbronaugh@dailyjournalonline.com