Busted water main near Columbia River High repaired

Crews spent roughly eight hours fixing a 12-inch water main that broke Monday afternoon on Northwest 99th Street near Columbia River High School, according to Clark Public Utilities.

A crew responded to the scene around 3:45 p.m. to fix the break and drain water that had flooded the street, according to Erica Erland, the agency’s spokeswoman. The cause has not been determined.

Both directions of 99th Street remained closed late Monday, from Northwest Ninth to Northwest Fourth avenues, disrupting evening commutes. Some parts of sidewalks were damaged from the flooding and are closed to pedestrians, and traffic controls remain in place.

Damages are still being assessed, and the utility will be responsible for further repairs, according to Clark County Public Works.

Water was shut off in surrounding areas to four customers, not including the high school, while repairs were completed, Erland said. The road was re-opened before the Tuesday morning commute.

While the road was closed, drivers were diverted to side streets. The traffic impact at the high school was minimal because school and most sports practices had already ended, Vancouver Public Schools spokeswoman Amanda Richter said.

An elementary school track meet scheduled for 4:45 p.m. Monday at the school, with fourth- and fifth-graders from eight schools, was postponed, however.

Vancouver Public Schools initially said the meet was postponed until Thursday, but it was actually rescheduled for Tuesday at 4:45 p.m., according to an update from the district.

Water flooded a parking lot but drained into a nearby creek, Richter said. The rest of the campus was not affected.

The district has not encountered a similar scenario in recent years, Richter said. “It does seem like a unique circumstance.”