Austin Water crews working to repair water main break in downtown

Hole in ground after water main break

Austin Water crews responded quickly around 4:30 a.m. to a water main break on Red River Street in downtown Austin. 

AUSTIN, Texas - Austin Water crews responded to a water main break in downtown Austin. 

The intersection will be closed for the rest of Monday, April 13.

What we know:

According to Austin Water, on Monday, April 13, around 4:30 a.m., a water main break happened on 6th and Red River St. in downtown Austin. They are going to be replacing the 8-inch water main. 

Drivers and pedestrians should follow detours and alternate routes as crews work to repair the more than 20 feet of pipe. 

The damage to the road was caused by the water main break and was not caused by the result of a sinkhole, Austin Water said. 

"Pressure from a leak can create damage to roadways and pavement. Shutting off the water for repairs removes the pressure but can cause already damaged pavement to buckle and collapse," Austin Water said in a statement.

The break also damaged a storm drain that was nearby and impacted electrical infrastructure. Those repairs will happen after the water main line is fixed.