Water Main Break Closes Indian Trail Road In Gwinnett

UPDATE: Indian Trail Road Partially Opens After Water Main Break

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – A water main break from a decommissioned valve early Tuesday has prompted the closure of Indian Trail Road at the exit ramp off I-85 in Gwinnett County. The exit ramp from I-85 onto Indian Trail Road was also closed. The closures, which also include the Park and Ride lot at the intersection, are expected to last through Wednesday morning, weather permitting.

Gwinnett County water is safe for all uses, including drinking.

At 12:37 a.m. Tuesday, a decommissioned 16-inch valve attached to a 30-inch water main broke at the northeast corner of the intersection of Indian Trail Road and the I-85 exit ramp where it becomes Brook Hollow Road. Gwinnett Department of Water Resources crews shut off the water main by 3 a.m. The force of the water created a hole about 30 feet wide by 30 feet long and 15 feet deep and took out a traffic light pole.

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The Gwinnett Department of Transportation and DWR crews are investigating possible undermining on the Indian Trail Road northbound, right-hand turn lane. The I-85 exit ramp and the Park and Ride lot appear to be unaffected, but are being used by heavy equipment making the repairs.

Indian Trail Road is closed in both directions from Beaver Ruin Road to the I-85 bridge. Motorists traveling northeast on Brook Hollow Parkway can only make a right onto Indian Trail Road. Drivers traveling northwest on Indian Trail Road at the closure point will have to exit at the bridge onto I-85 south.

The Park and Ride lot is also expected to be closed all day Tuesday and possibly into Wednesday. The Park and Ride closure affects Gwinnett County Transit Route 102 and Route 110. Service on Route 102 is canceled. Route 110 will continue to service the Sugarloaf Mills Park and Ride lot as scheduled.

Gwinnett County Transit will be unable to serve the following bus stops until the roads reopen:

· Indian Trail Road at QuikTrip (inbound) Stop ID 385

· Indian Trail Road at Willow Trail (inbound and outbound) Stop ID 387/388

· Indian Trail Road at Kentucky Fried Chicken (outbound) Stop ID 384

· Brook Hollow Parkway at Chevron (inbound) Stop ID 162

· Brook Hollow Parkway at Pinnacle Way (inbound and outbound) Stop ID 172/171

· Brook Hollow Parkway at Mitchell Road (inbound and outbound) Stop ID 164/165

· Brook Hollow Parkway at Indian Trail (outbound) Stop ID 161

Customers can use the MyStop App or visit www.mygctransit.com to see real time information. The Transit Customer Service office is also able to assist at 770.822.5010.

Three nearby businesses currently are out of water, but residences were affected. Water quality also was not affected and in most cases, residents will not notice any difference in their water, but there may be isolated areas of the county that may experience discoloration or tiny specks in the water. This is caused by a reversal in the direction of water flow in the water main.

If this occurs, residents will need to flush their individual systems by running water through an outside spigot on the front of your home until the water runs clear. Then, open the other faucets in your home slowly to allow air to escape and allow the faucets to run for a minute or two until they also run clear. With the new generation of low-flow toilets, there may be discoloration in the toilet bowl for several flushes afterwards since they use much less water per flush.

If air is trapped in the line, it will make a spurting or hissing sound as it passes through the faucet, and at first the water may be cloudy due to tiny air bubbles in the water. You may also see discoloration or particles that dislodge from the inside of your plumbing as the pipes fill. This should clear quickly.

If water is cloudy throughout the house and does not clear after allowing the water to run for several minutes, contact our 24-hour emergency dispatch line at 678.376.7000 for assistance.

Image via Shutterstock