Eight-Inch Water Main Break Shuts Eastbound Wendover Lanes; Five Customers Without Water

Two eastbound lanes of East Wendover Avenue were closed Saturday after an eight-inch water main broke in the 1700 block, disrupting traffic and leaving five customers without water while city crews worked on repairs. The closure stretched from the bridge at Highway 29 to Gatewood Avenue, and motorists were urged to seek alternate routes as signs and cones blocked the affected lanes.

City of Greensboro crews remained on site to make repairs and, city officials said, worked with an expectation of reopening lanes and restoring service by 8 p.m. Saturday. “City crews are working to complete repairs and expect to reopen the lanes and restore service by 8 p.m. tonight,” officials said. The break prompted traffic control measures in a busy corridor used by commuters heading to and from central Greensboro; drivers were advised to give themselves extra time or to use parallel streets to avoid delays.

Five water customers were reported without service while crews isolated and repaired the damaged eight-inch main. “Five water customers are currently without service,” city statements noted. Residents were also warned about possible short-term water-quality issues after service was restored. “Residents experiencing discolored or cloudy water after repairs should run cold water through a faucet without an aerator until it clears,” the city said, adding that fixtures such as a bathtub or an outdoor spigot work best for flushing lines.

For urgent water or sewer problems, Greensboro Water Resources maintains a 24-hour dispatch line at 336-373-2033. The city also posts road-closure and project information through its online road-projects page for residents planning alternate routes.

While water-main incidents occur across the Triad from time to time, this break underscored the local impact of aging and stressed infrastructure that cities worldwide are grappling with. For affected customers, short-term inconveniences include loss of service and the need to flush lines; for motorists, the immediate effect was congestion and detours through adjacent neighborhoods.

City crews prioritized restoring service and reopening the lanes, and residents who notice ongoing taste, odor or color changes in their water are encouraged to contact the Water Resources dispatch line. As repairs conclude, officials will determine whether additional testing or notices are needed; until then, affected residents should follow the flushing guidance and plan alternate routes around E. Wendover during peak travel times.