Crews working to repair water main break in Norristown; Montco courthouse, several roads closed
The Montgomery County courthouse, as well as several other county offices, are closed
NORRISTOWN, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- A large water main break in Norristown has closed down several roads Monday morning. The Montgomery County courthouse, as well as several other county offices, are also closed.
The break happened around 3 a.m. at the intersection of W. Penn Street and Cherry Street. Water is said to be flowing down W. Penn Street.
The break led to traffic backups as water went gushing onto busy roads, like Markley Street.
Public works trucks are on the scene spreading salt on the street to try and prevent the water from freezing.
The force of the water cracked the asphalt and turned to ice on roads and sidewalks due to below freezing temperatures.
Police have closed down a number of streets in the area due to icy roads, including the northbound lanes out of King of Prussia. Major delays are expected.
"Now I have to walk up through this ice toward Montgomery," said Ronnie Cochran, from Willow Grove. "It's a mess."
The county courthouse, county offices and garage at One Montgomery Plaza, the county family court facility at 321 Swede Street and the probation office at 408 Cherry Street are all closed Monday, officials say.
County staff working in those buildings will be working remotely, if possible.
All other county facilities, including all Magisterial District Courts and the Youth Center Court facility, remain operational and open to the public.
The Cherry Street and Markley Street parking facilities will remain open and available.
Cochran works nearby and says there was another water main break a few weeks ago.
"This is the second time, but the first time it was down on Main Street where it was broken and now here," he said. "This time it's too cold. The last one didn't freeze up like this, it wasn't icy."
Officials said work to repair the water main break is expected to last most of the day.
