A major water main break along North Harbor Drive caused flooding and traffic delays near the San Diego International Airport Saturday evening.
According to Harbor Police, the water main break occurred around 5:00 p.m. along North Harbor Drive.
Port of San Diego officials said the flooding was initially thought to be a sewage spill but upon testing the water, officials confirmed the source to be a water main break.
City water department spokesman Arian Collins said a 16-inch, cast-iron main cracked open near the east end of the runway and Laurel Street on airport property, causing water to gush into North Harbor Drive.
Authorities closed off all traffic on westbound North Harbor Drive for several hours following the flooding. At times, eastbound traffic on the street was down to one lane.
Westbound Laurel Street, eastbound Pacific Highway and Hawthorne Street were also temporarily shut down.
At around 6 p.m., all westbound traffic remaining on North Harbor Drive was being rerouted to Rosecrans Street.
Meanwhile, pedestrian traffic was allowed on the south side of North Harbor Drive.
Many local travelers trying to make their flights at the airport took advantage of that, leaving their rides behind and walking to Lindbergh Field.
“My parents came from Ontario to pick me up here and I was at the airport for an hour and I started to walk and so that why I’m on here now – trying to meet up with them somewhere down there,” said traveler Jessica Brown.
For travelers pressed for time, the water main break caused delays and major frustration.
Traveler Eugene Blotkin, on his way to catch a flight from San Diego to Israel, said he ended up walking to airport.
“Some policeman told us that the cleverest way is just to walk and just showed me by hand where - I don't know if I go the proper direction,” said Blotkin.
Though the flooding was an inconvenience for travelers and commuters, Michelle Ganon of the Port of San Diego said the damage could’ve been much worse.
"Initially it was thought to be sewer [water] because it was carrying so much dirt as it flooded North Harbor Drive -- but the water has been tested by the city water department and it's a water main break," confirmed Ganon.
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