Updated: Bedford Street Reopened

Update:

Bedford Street is open again for commuters. 

Updated Thursday, Jan. 23 at 11:17 p.m.:

The work on the sewer main break near 44 Bedford Street continues at this late hour and may not be completed in time for the Friday morning commute. 

"As of 9:30 p.m. this evening, it is not clear if repairs will be completed and the road reopened for the Friday morning commute," a notice from Deb Mauger, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen states. "Please plan on alternate routes. The School Department is aware of this situation as it may impact school bus schedules in this part of town."

Updated 5:57 p.m. 

The sewer main break near 44 Bedford Street is continuing to cause massive traffic delays. Journalist Denise Dubé, who was on scene and provided Lexington Patch with the photos above, said there are large traffic backups throughout the area. 

Reports and tweets state Route 4 is closed at the Route 128 exit 31 ramp. There are also reports of delays on Route 128 from the incident. 

On Bedford Street police are preventing drivers from passing Hartwell Avenue on one side and Eldred Street on another. 

Dubé said the scene is a mess and the atmosphere unpleasant. 

"It reeks," she told Patch over the phone. 

Updated 4:14 p.m. 

It appears the situation on Bedford Street is taking a while to improve. 

According to a release from the Town Manager's office, Bedford Street is completely closed in the area of the sewer break, both east and westbound lanes and detours are in place. Repairs are expected to be ongoing until at least midnight.

Updated 3:21 p.m. 

According to a release from the Town Manager's office, the sewer main break is in the area of the Quality Inn and may take until this evening to be fixed.  

"Earlier this afternoon a break in a 20"sewer line was discovered on Bedford Street in Lexington near the Quality Inn," the release states. "While repairs are being made, one or more travel lane/s will be closed to traffic and motorists are advised to find other routes. Repairs and cleanup could take up to 8 hours."


Original Story: 

There are reports of a sewer main break on Bedford Street in Lexington that is causing traffic delays in the area. 

The main break is near Margaritas, 438 Bedford Street, according to reports on Twitter. According to a tweet from the Bedford Police Department, crews are detouring traffic off Route 4.

"Please stay away from the area," the Bedford Police Department said.