NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – A large water main break in Downtown Norfolk has been impacting traffic and businesses for weeks.

The water main break occurred on December 14 along Monticello Avenue behind the Federal Building in the 200 block of Granby Street. The Federal Building was the only building without access to water due to the incident.

Part of Monticello Avenue has been shut down in the impacted area.

The city announced that Monticello Avenue between Freemason Street and City Hall Avenue would reopen around 5 p.m. on January 3.

The Tide Light Rail has not been in service, from the Norfolk State Station to the EVMC Fort Norfolk Station, because of the water main repairs. Bus shuttles have provided service between the impacted stations.

Hampton Roads Transit says The Tide is expected to resume normal service Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 6 a.m.

The City’s emergency contractor, Bridgeman Civil, was called in to handle repairs.

Officials say this will continue through early next week in addition to:

  • Southbound Monticello Avenue is closed to through traffic until early next week between Freemason Street and City Hall Avenue. 
  • Access to MacArthur Center, Wells Theater, Governor’s School for the Arts and the NorVa remain open but under off-duty police control to limit access to work areas.

HRT sent out its first service alert about flooding and possible road damage from the break, just after 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

It was determined the water main broke and eroded the ground underneath the eastbound track. The area that had washed out was 8 feet wide by 13 feet long by 3 feet deep.

Once the water main was repaired, a plan to fill the void left by the washout of soil occurred in phases. This process took several days because the fill, which contains concrete, must be placed in lifts and allowed time to cure.

“We want to thank Bridgeman Civil, STV, and the City of Norfolk’s Public Works, Utilities and Transit departments for their tireless work in making the repairs that allowed us to restore service,” said William Harrell, President, and CEO of HRT. “We’re ready to get back to moving people on The Tide.”

Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.