Portion Of Parkway Closed Due To Water Main Damage

By Amber Lester Kennedy Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Part of the Colonial Parkway will be closed this afternoon due to damage to a water main.

The parkway will be closed between Route 199/Cheatham Annex and Parkway Drive indefinitely until damage to a 42-inch water main is repaired. The closed portion stretches about two-and-a-half miles. A marked detour will be in place in the interim.

The water main is operated by Newport News Waterworks. Crews are trying to determine the extent of the damage to the water line. The leak was first noticed yesterday, but the Waterworks crews did not investigate until today. Water has spread onto the road and started to freeze, prompting the afternoon closure, said James Perry, public affairs officer for the Colonial National Historical Park.