A section of Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood remained closed as repair teams worked on a water main that broke, causing streets to flood. The rupture occurred early Thursday on an important trunk line, releasing thousands of gallons of water onto the famous Sunset Strip.
The closures extend from Horn Avenue, where the 110-year-old pipe burst, creating a significant sinkhole, to San Vicente Boulevard and N. Clark Street. Additional shutdowns include Larrabee Street at Santa Monica Boulevard and Palm Avenue at Santa Monica Boulevard, as reported by the City of West Hollywood.
Some areas have limited access, reserved only for residents. These include Shoreham Drive at Sunset Boulevard, Holloway Drive between Palm and Hancock avenues, and San Vicente Boulevard at Cynthia Street. These disruptions are expected to impact local businesses and residents significantly.
Authorities are urging drivers to avoid these areas in the coming days to allow repair crews from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) to proceed with their work. The pipe involved in the break is a riveted steel structure from 1916, serving as a major conduit for water from reservoirs to smaller lines throughout Los Angeles.
DWP had planned to replace this section in 2031. There are approximately 547 miles of trunk lines beneath the city. A 2019 report by the DWP highlighted that about 29% of pipes in Los Angeles were over 80 years old, nearing the end of their service life. The challenge of maintaining the aging system is complicated by limited funding for extensive repairs or replacements.
The exact timeline for completing the repairs remains unknown. Anselmo Collins, DWP’s chief operating officer, indicated that once the flow is halted, water will be pumped from the site to assess the damage and estimate repair duration.