Broken water main takes out road near University Bridge

A street south of the University Bridge collapsed this morning when a large water main broke and sent two cars into a ravine and water gushing from the hole.

Gregg Hirakawa, spokesman for the Seattle Department of Transportation, said the street collapsed for an unknown reason on East Portage Bay Road, south of the University Bridge. Mayor Greg Nickels was on his way to work when he got a phone call about the break, and he went directly the University Bridge.

He said a large water main gave way, just a week after a water main broke on Dexter Avenue, although this was not related to construction.

It's a small road which provides access to floating homes below the bridge.

Nickels said the flood caused by the water-main break took out the road and put two cars into the ravine.

City crews this morning were turning water off in the area, which he said was a complex procedure.

He said water was rushing out onto the footings of the bridge so the city closed the bridge, "to make sure there is no structural damage before we re-open the bridge"