A water main break on Thursday afternoon closed an eighth of a mile of Patterson Road, between Lindbergh Boulevard and Mullanphy Lane. An estimated 30,000 drivers a day use the road.
The 16-inch water main broke about 3:30 p.m. as workers for the St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District were installing a sewer line.
The water main break also ruptured a gas line operated by Laclede Gas Co. Further complicating repairs is the fact that the water main sits 15 feet below street level.
According to MSD it will be several days before the road can be fixed because the main has to be fixed, and then shoring work has to be done to make sure the pipes are secure prior to any road repair taking place.