By Ed Lewis [email protected]
Hanover Area School District on Thursday dismissed Memorial Elementary and Lee Park Elementary schools early because of a water main break on the Sans Souci Parkway, seen here.
Work on Thursday rupture was to be completed overnight
HANOVER TWP. — Water has been restored to both Lee Park and Memorial Elementary schools in the wake of an earlier water main break, Hanover Area district officials said Thursday evening, and the buildings will be open Friday as scheduled.
Work on the break itself was to be completed overnight, utility officials said.
A 24-inch main ruptured along Sans Souci Parkway, causing early dismissals for the two schools and low to no water pressure to many homes and businesses in the area.
The northbound lane of the parkway was closed due to flooding.
Susan Turcmanovich, external affairs manager for Pennsylvania American Water, said about 70 customers were impacted.
“We anticipate completing repairs overnight,” Turcmanovich stated in an email later Thursday.
An alert on the utility’s web site said the repairs to the break that occurred around noon were expected to take approximately 12 hours.
Water from the break flowed to the low areas of the parkway that became flooded closing the northbound lanes from Saint Marys Road to the Crossroads. Traffic was detoured onto Saint Marys Road or Fellows Avenue eventually congesting Lynwood Avenue where motorists were attempting to access West End Road.
Hanover Area dismissed Memorial Elementary on Saint Marys Road at 12:30 p.m. and Lee Park Elementary at 1:15 p.m.
Several businesses along the parkway remained open while others closed.
The break occurred in the area of Dollar General and Don’s Deli where crews are replacing pipes that date back to 1900.
Pennsylvania American Water last month began a $3.5 million project replacing the aging pipes with ductile-iron pipes.
“The existing pipe in this area is cast iron and has a history of breaks and leaks,” Jeremy Nelson, senior engineer for Pennsylvania American Water, stated when the project was announced on Aug. 17.
Crews were seen Thursday near the former Air Products building using tools to turn off the water main.
The project involves installation of new 24- and 12-inch pipe from the intersection of Oxford Street to Main Road. Construction is expected to continue through the spring of 2023 with final restoration set for summer 2023.
Times Leader reporter Jerry Lynott contributed to this report.