Crews in West Hollywood are making significant strides in repairing roads and sidewalks damaged by a massive water main break that flooded the area. New images show construction workers paving over a large sinkhole that formed at Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive following the rupture of a 110-year-old, 36-inch cast-iron water main on July 16. The break unleashed thousands of gallons of high-pressure water, causing widespread disruption.
Heavy machinery, including trucks and bulldozers, are on site, alongside numerous construction workers focused on repairing the affected areas. The incident has caused significant traffic detours, and road closures remain in effect, according to the West Hollywood Sheriff Station. The timeline for a complete restoration of normal conditions is not yet clear.
Public access remains restricted at several key intersections, including Horn Avenue at Sunset Boulevard, San Vicente Boulevard / North Clark Street at Sunset Boulevard (with no eastbound traffic permitted on Sunset Boulevard from San Vicente Boulevard/Clark Street), Larrabee Street at Sunset Boulevard (north and south sides), Larrabee Street at Santa Monica Boulevard, and Palm Avenue at Santa Monica Boulevard.
The water main break inundated streets, causing damage to property, homes, and businesses. Eyewitness accounts and video footage from last week depicted floodwaters rushing down streets, submerging cars, and flooding first-floor apartments and underground garages. The popular Dialog Cafe was among the businesses affected.
Mayor Karen Bass noted that the primary challenge posed by the break was the impact on morning commuters, while West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman confirmed that all residents were accounted for and safe. The failure of the century-old pipe has heightened concerns regarding the city's aging infrastructure.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power anticipates repaving and reopening Sunset Boulevard later this week. The specific cause of the water main's rupture remains undetermined.