1880s Water Main Breaks At Busy Duluth Intersection

DULUTH, Minn. — One of Duluth’s oldest water mains caused quite a mess at one of Duluth’s busiest intersections Wednesday night, which went into a second night Thursday.

The break was reported around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at West Superior Street and Mesaba Avenue.

City utility crews were dispatched just before 11 p.m. Wednesday as bubbles were pouring out of the roadway and making their way down to Southbound I-35.

Upon excavation, crew located a large split on an original 1880s cast iron water main.

The main was replaced Thursday and water service was restored to the area.

West Superior Street remained closed Thursday night toward Lincoln Park.

The city warned drivers to be aware of slippery, icy spots on drivable areas around the break, including the ramp onto I-35.

Roadwork was expected to be complete on Friday.

Mayor Reinert took to social media to explain why the water main break occurred. He said the materials used to move water and waste throughout are city are well beyond their expected life.

“Compounding this is light snow the last two winters. That may be good news on the plowing front, but snow helps regulate the temperature of the soil surrounding the underground pipes. A lack of snow cover means deeper freezing.  That frozen ground under roads and streets directly transfers the impacts of traffic to the pipelines. This combination is why most of the pipeline failures occur in winter and spring,” according to Reinert.