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Update 4:45 p.m.

Two northbound lanes on McBean Parkway are now open following a water main break that occurred this morning at the intersection of McBean Parkway and Decoro Drive.

Repairs by Valencia Water Company are ongoing and will include work around the clock throughout the weekend.  Residents should expect and plan for traffic delays.

Detours remain in place at the following locations:

* Decoro Drive – eastbound closed at Sunny Creek Drive

* Decoro Drive – westbound can only turn right at McBean Parkway

* McBean Parkway – southbound closed at Sunset Hills Drive

Only local through traffic will be allowed.  Changeable message boards to re-route traffic are in place at: Newhall Ranch Road and McBean Parkway; McBean Parkway near Copperhill; and Decoro Drive near Dickason Drive.

Santa Clarita Transit has adjusted routes accordingly.

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The intersection of Decoro and McBean Parkway might not fully open until Saturday morning.

“The repairs are taking longer than we thought,” said Greg Milleman, Senior Vice President of the Valencia Water Company.

The break of a 16-inch pipe at the intersection occurred four feet beneath the A-base and “shot water” over the rock, dirt, slurry mix. If the A-base turns out to be soaked that will require excavation by work crews and replacement of the 6 to 8 inches of mix before asphalt can be re-poured.

“Our best estimate is to have the intersection open by tomorrow morning,” said Milleman. However, he cautioned it make take until tomorrow evening.

Until then one north bound lane is open on McBean Parkway.

When the break first occurred at 9:45 a.m. Milleman estimates between 500 an 1,000 homes in close proximity lost service, but after shutting valves connected to the broken pipe all homes had service within half an hour.

Crew workers were reportedly happy that the break happened during normal business hours because they could get the supplies they needed without having to wake up people at midnight.

The intersection also had a main break last June, however, Milleman says that was the case of a contractor digging in the area and cutting the pipe.

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(Earlier):

A water main break occurred this morning at approximately 9:45 a.m. and has resulted in closure of the intersection of McBean Parkway and Decoro Drive.  Repairs by Valencia Water Company will result in several traffic detours for an extended period of time.  Assessment of the damage is ongoing and all approaches to the intersection are currently closed.

The detour plan will re-route traffic at:

* Decoro Drive – eastbound closed at Cottage Circle

* Decoro Drive – westbound can only turn right at McBean Parkway

* McBean Parkway – northbound only one lane open

* McBean Parkway – southbound closed at North Park

Only local through traffic will be allowed.  Changeable message boards to re-route traffic will be placed at: Newhall Ranch Road and McBean Parkway; McBean Parkway near Copperhill; and Decoro Drive near Dickason Drive.

Santa Clarita Transit will adjust routes accordingly and nearby schools have been contacted.  Updates will be provided as soon as additional information becomes available.

Residents can contact the City of Santa Clarita or the City’s Public Works Department at (661) 286-4098.  For updated information, visit Twitter.com/SantaClarita and Facebook.com/cityofsantaclarita.