Water main break closes Spruce Street near Penn Medicine hospitals in University City

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A water main break has forced the closure of a wide area in the University City section of Philadelphia.

Spruce Street remains closed between 34th and 38th Streets.

The issue is impacting traffic near the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine and the Clifton Center for Medical Breakthroughs.

According to the Philadelphia Water Department, crews responded to a leak in the street and repaired an 8-inch water main on Sunday.

Crews were repairing a second leak on a fire hydrant connection on Monday.

The water department says the University of Pennsylvania Hospital's water service should not be impacted.

According to a statement, the Water Department and Streets Department will assess the site and determine a plan for restoring the street.

There is no word yet on how much of the street will need to be closed or how long those repairs may take.

Drivers should allow for extra time if driving to an appointment and should expect heavy traffic and delays when traveling in West Philadelphia and University City.

Drivers are encouraged to plan a route in advance and, if possible, consider using public transportation.