Sunset Boulevard reopens in Westwood after water-main break
WESTWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Sunset Boulevard in Westwood is now open to traffic again almost a week after a ruptured water main sent 20 million gallons of water gushing into the area and onto the UCLA campus.
Street crews worked around the clock to fix the 36-inch pipes. On Sunday night, workers striped the road, filled the gaping hole and laid down the last two inches of pavement.
Steel plating and concrete blocks were installed and tested on the pipes. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power says they should last the next 200 years.
However, Sunset Boulevard is expected to be closed during the overnight hours this weekend so that crews can work on final repairs.
"Every aspect of this job has been a tremendous challenge. We think our crews have done a tremendous job getting this job done quickly," said Joe Ramallo, communications director for the LADWP.
In a tweet early Monday morning, Mayor Eric Garcetti praised the LADWP crews for their hard work.
"Sunset Blvd. is now open. Thank you @UCLA community & all Angelenos for your patience. And City crews for non-stop work to get the job done," Garcetti tweeted.
Meantime, on the UCLA campus, efforts to save the newly renovated basketball court at Pauley Pavilion failed. The entire court will have to be replaced, but Garcetti says it will be ready for the men's and women's basketball season.
