Crews are working on repairs after a water main broke just before 4 p.m. Tuesday, sending large amounts of water rushing through Boston streets, the city’s Water and Sewer Commission confirmed.The incident happened near the border of the Roxbury and Jamaica Plain neighborhoods, at Columbus Avenue and the intersection of Centre and Richie streets. Boston police were on the scene, rerouting traffic as crews worked to remedy the break. The ruptured pipe is 36 inches or bigger, Boston fire said. Drivers have been asked to avoid the area. Boston fire confirmed that the incident would have an impact on the Tuesday evening commute.Video: Boston fire officials give update on massive water main break”As the night goes on, we expect the temperatures to drop down low, so we’re getting ready for icing conditions,” Boston Fire District Chief Joseph Walsh said. “DPW will be on standby with sanders.”Built-up trash on the streets caused nearby drains to clog and prevented water from effectively draining. “It was difficult to find where those drains were and reach down with tools to clear them,” Walsh said. He anticipated that it would take several hours to shut off and drain all the water.Bruce Marks, who rents the first floor of a nearby building, said his space was flooded as a result of the break. “It’s been over two hours and even now you can see that it’s still flooding. What they’re doing is they’re trying to drain it and can’t drain it as fast as the water is coming,” Marks said. “How is it in the city of Boston that they can’t even figure out how to cut off the water main when there’s a burst pipe?”Water did make its way inside a nearby business, coating floors in nearly an inch of water. The Jackson Square MBTA bus stop was closed due to the break. Bus routes 14, 22, 29, 41 and 44 are currently being detoured around the area. The Jackson Square MBTA train station is also near the break – it is unclear if train service to the station was also impacted.Sky 5 video showed the streets flooded with brown, murky water, partially submerging nearby parked cars. Several residential and commercial buildings are located near the break, including three family childcare providers. A spokesperson for JD Family Daycare confirmed that the building was evacuated and all children were picked up by parents and are safe.Columbus Avenue from Heath Street to Armory Street is closed. NewsCenter 5 will provide updates as we learn more information.
BOSTON —
Crews are working on repairs after a water main broke just before 4 p.m. Tuesday, sending large amounts of water rushing through Boston streets, the city’s Water and Sewer Commission confirmed.
The incident happened near the border of the Roxbury and Jamaica Plain neighborhoods, at Columbus Avenue and the intersection of Centre and Richie streets.
Boston police were on the scene, rerouting traffic as crews worked to remedy the break. The ruptured pipe is 36 inches or bigger, Boston fire said.
Drivers have been asked to avoid the area.
Boston fire confirmed that the incident would have an impact on the Tuesday evening commute.
Video: Boston fire officials give update on massive water main break
“As the night goes on, we expect the temperatures to drop down low, so we’re getting ready for icing conditions,” a Boston fire district chief said. “DPW will be on standby with sanders.”
Built-up trash on the streets caused nearby drains to clog and prevented water from effectively draining.
“It was difficult to find where those drains were and reach down with tools to clear them,” the district chief said. He anticipated that it would take several hours to shut off and drain all the water.
Bruce Marks, who rents the first floor of a nearby building, said his space was flooded as a result of the break.
“It’s been over two hours and even now you can see that it’s still flooding. What they’re doing is they’re trying to drain it and can’t drain it as fast as the water is coming,” Marks said. “How is it in the city of Boston that they can’t even figure out how to cut off the water main when there’s a burst pipe?”
Water did make its way inside a nearby business, coating floors in nearly an inch of water.
Hearst Owned
Water main break damage
The Jackson Square MBTA bus stop was closed due to the break. Bus routes 14, 22, 29, 41 and 44 are currently being detoured around the area.
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The Jackson Square busway is temporarily closed due a water main break in the area. Route 14, 22, 29, 41 and 44 buses are being detoured around the area.
Visit https://t.co/Pf4D3a9bvr for more information and connection points.
— MBTA (@MBTA) March 17, 2026
The Jackson Square MBTA train station is also near the break – it is unclear if train service to the station was also impacted.
Sky 5 video showed the streets flooded with brown, murky water, partially submerging nearby parked cars.
Several residential and commercial buildings are located near the break, including three family childcare providers. A spokesperson for JD Family Daycare confirmed that the building was evacuated and all children were picked up by parents and are safe.
Columbus Avenue from Heath Street to Armory Street is closed.
NewsCenter 5 will provide updates as we learn more information.