Water Main Break Creates Large Sinkhole In Major Irvine Roadway

IRVINE (CBSLA) – A water main break caused flooding and a large sinkhole that closed a major roadway in Irvine Tuesday morning.

At around 4:30 a.m., a 40-year-old water main burst at Michelson Drive and Jamboree Road, sending water gushing into the roadway and creating a sinkhole. The pipe carries drinking water to the area.

Nearby Houston's restaurant was temporarily without water before its water service was rerouted through a different main.

The flooding initially closed northbound Jamboree Road between Michelson Drive and the 405 Freeway, along with westbound Michelson Drive between Loop and Jamboree roads. Jamboree Road is one of the busiest thoroughfares in the area.

Crews with Irvine Ranch Water District responded to repair the damage and drain the pooled water.

"This is actually a fairly routine break and a fairly routine cleanup," said Beth Beeman with the water district. "It just looks bigger than it is because it's in a fairly busy intersection in Irvine."

As of 1 p.m., one lane of northbound Jamboree Road had reopened. Westbound Michelson Drive had also reopened. Crews were hoping to have Jamboree fully reopened by evening rush hour.

Officials are unsure exactly what caused the break. The repairs could take several days to complete.