Water Line Break Closes Binghamton’s Court Street

A major water line ruptured on Court Street in downtown Binghamton, prompting the closure of two blocks of the city's main thoroughfare.

The break was reported around midday Thursday as a steady snow continued to fall.

The rupture was near the intersection of Court and Washington streets.

Court Street was closed between Water and State streets.

A river of water flowed from beneath the pavement as crews

worked to reach the source of the problem.

Crews managed to shut off a valve from a 20-inch water main to stop the flow of water. The actual break appeared to be to a one-and-a-half-inch service line from the center of the street.

A water supervisor said between 5,000 and 10,000 gallons of water may have been lost before the valve was shut off.

Binghamton Mayor Richard David said two businesses and a residence - his residence - would be without water until repairs were made.

The unusually cold weather has resulted in dozens of broken and frozen water line calls in Binghamton in recent days.