SCRANTON, Pa. — A water main break closed schools and tied up traffic in a section of Scranton Thursday morning.
Crews spent the morning pumping out a significant hole, trying to locate where exactly the break was.
Pennsylvania American Water says crews isolated this break on the 16-inch water main along Luzerne Street Thursday afternoon.
The break is causing low pressure and discoloration for homes and businesses throughout the area and shut down blocks around Luzerne Street from South 9th to Meridian Avenue
As work continues to fix the break and clean up the mess, businesses on Luzerne Street, like Cadden Brothers Beer Distributors, are feeling the effects.
"Especially with football season now, I don't know how long this is going to take. And if people want to come and get beer for a Thursday night and Sunday night game, it'll get in the way a little bit," James Cadden said.
With the road shut down, they're doing what they can to stay open, loading up the trucks and hitting the road for deliveries.
"It'll be a hectic day with the lack of foot traffic. Most people know that we deliver. They will be calling. It's going to be a busy day on the road, which I don't mind."
Four schools—two elementary, the intermediate school, and West Scranton High School—closed for the day.
Inside Roberto's Restaurant, it's a much quieter scene than the usual lunch rush.
Owner Lou Hyde took over the restaurant earlier this year. He says even when the water turns back on, it's no easy feat to open back up.
"The most difficult part is this is the money we need to be able to keep the place open," Hyde said. "We'll go ahead and get everything cleaned, sanitized. You know, we'll have to run the lines in the ice machines, soda machine. Make sure everything is safe for everybody. "
But even with all that work, they hope to be up and running for Thursday night takeout.
"With football games, lot of wings, lots of pizzas got to go out. So, that's why we're really shooting for being open for dinner."
Pennsylvania American Water says residents may continue to see discolored or cloudy water due to the break.
Officials say repairs are underway on the break and are expected to be completed overnight.
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