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AUpdated Monday, Sept. 21, with details from the mayor.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A water main break in the 700 block of South Pickett Street on Saturday sent enough water into South Pickett and South Van Dorn streets that traffic had to be diverted for much of the afternoon and evening.
Virginia American Water crews shut off the water and worked on repairs from about 2 p.m. until after 9 p.m., Mayor Alyia Gaskins said in a video posted to social media Sunday. The water also caused localized damage to the roads, which crews patched.
Traffic was back to normal by Sunday, Gaskins said, but the roads may still be muddy and have loose gravel. Cleanup was expected to continue Sunday and Monday.
Alexandria police first posted about the closure at 12:18 p.m. Saturday, describing the roadway near 500 S. Van Dorn St. as closed. A later update said the southbound 500 block of South Van Dorn remained closed, that Virginia American Water was on scene and that there was no estimate for when repairs would be finished.
Gaskins used the video to ask residents to spend money in the area this week. Businesses in Van Dorn Plaza and along the nearby streets lost water service while it was shut off for repairs, she said, and the diverted traffic kept away customers who would otherwise have shopped there Saturday.
"If you're out, visit the West End and go support some of our great business owners today," she said.
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Ryan Belmore is an Alexandria journalist, neighbor, and the founder and publisher of The Alexandria Brief. Send tips and feedback to ryan@alexandriabrief.com.
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