iPhone Captures Gushing Geyser

North County commuters faced a big detour Thursday morning as crews worked to repair a water main break in Escondido.

A contractor working for AT&T was boring a hole under the street when they ruptured the water main Wednesday afternoon, Caltrans officials said.

State Route 78 along East Washington Avenue was closed in both directions between Ash and Fig Streets on Thursday morning and could remain closed until 9 a.m., according to construction crews.

One of the workers took video of the geyser shooting several feet in into the air on his iPhone.

More than 40 customers were without water including nearby businesses and homes as crews worked over night making repairs. By 4 a.m. most of the repairs were complete but 8-inches of asphalt was being laid across a major section of the road.

β€œThe water gets under the pavement and lifts it up,” Caltrans Engineer Rich Breyer said. β€œWe took out the minimum amount we had to get it back in shape.”

Supervisors said it takes a few hours for the asphalt to dry, so they won’t be opening up the road until it has cooled.

The contractor who ruptured the pipe will be responsible for footing the bill for the repairs.

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