Water Line Break Shuts Down Railroad Street in St Johnsbury Damages Infrastructure Near Cary and Main

In St. Johnsburty, a water line break shut down Railroad Street to traffic Sunday morning, although most businesses were operating. One sidewalk was allowed for pedestrian use. The break was in a 6-inch line that provided water for the sprinkler system in the Cary and Main Building. It occurred just a bit before 8 a.m. and sent a torrent of water flowing along the roadway. A considerable amount of dirt and gravel eroded out from under the sidewalk and road. St. Johnsbury Public Works personnel shut the service valve to the building at about 9:45. Beside the water line, it appeared a stormwater pipe had been broken by sections of sidewalk and road that collapsed upon it. There also appeared to be an electrical line in or under the compromised sidewalk, possibly for the street lights, that had been broken. Green Mountain Power was called to assess the situation.