Highway 101 lanes reopened in Port Angeles after water main leak

Published 12:01 am Thursday, July 19, 2012

PORT ANGELES — U.S. Highway 101 was fully reopened as of Wednesday morning after westbound lanes were closed Tuesday while city workers investigated a water main leak at the eastern entrance to the city.

The break prompted a closure of two of three lanes of Front Street — including a short turning lane — for about 1,000 feet where First and Front streets merge at the Port Angeles city limit.

Cars also were detoured to Baker Street.

The leak caused a buckling of the road near O’Reilly Auto Parts at 1911 E. First St., City Public Works and Utilities Director Glenn Cutler told the City Council at its regular meeting Tuesday.

Workers were capping a 2-inch water line Tuesday night, Cutler added.

Traffic had backed up well beyond the water main leak earlier Tuesday afternoon but was flowing smoothly by 4:30 p.m., said Port Angeles Deputy Chief Brian Smith.