WEST HOLLYWOOD—The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power reported a water pipe break near the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Olive in West Hollywood on September 26. Reports indicated the pipe break occurred at 2:18 p.m. and officials received the news of the break at 2:26 p.m. The street was closed to traffic in both directions as the officials from the LADWP worked to shut down a 36-inch pipe which is the cause of the rupture.

Michelle Vargas from the LADWP indicated in a press release to Canyon News that “The pipe suspected to be involved is steel riveted and was installed in 1916. It was then cement-lined in 1957 to extend its service life.

Shutting down the pipeline is quite complicated as 15 valves had to be hand-turned in a specific manner to “isolate the pipe, minimize loss of service to our customers, protect the pipes in the area from further rupture and to protect water quality for residents in the area.”

Traffic lanes on Sunset Boulevard were reopened to traffic on September 27 east of La Cienega Boulevard at 10:30 p.m.

“Staff members from several City of West Hollywood departments focused on public safety and inspection while the LADWP worked on repairing the broken water main and the street in order to open Sunset Boulevard to traffic ASAP,” said West Hollywood Mayor John D’Amico. “The quick work of everyone involved means that the pipe is repaired, the street is now open, and traffic patterns will get back to normal again.”

Crews from the LADWP welded a steel cap into place on the trunk line and were completed by 2 p.m. on September 27. All lanes in the region were expected to re-open by 3 p.m. on Wednesday, October 1 indicated Lisa Marie Berlanti, City of West Hollywood’s Public Information Manager.

“Sunset Boulevard is back to normal and we are thrilled,” said West Hollywood Mayor John D’Amico. “This street is not just a major thoroughfare for drivers and commuters; it’s also the ‘Sunset Strip,’ a bustling area ofWest Hollywood with thriving hotels, restaurants, cafes, businesses, and nightlife. We are so grateful to County Fire, West Hollywood Sheriffs, LADWP, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the Beverly Hills Police Department who all worked around-the-clock with us at the City of West Hollywood to quickly get Sunset Boulevard back up-and-running.”