Boston Restores Service After Water Main Fix

Columbus Avenue reopens after crews repair 1897 water main that flooded 15,000 gallons per minute

Boston Water Main Fixed, Road Reopens at Jackson Square

Drivers can use Columbus Avenue again after crews fixed a major water main break at Jackson Square that flooded streets and disrupted transit routes for two days. The Boston Water and Sewer Commission announced Thursday morning, March 19, 2026, that repairs were complete, and the roadway reopened around 3 p.m. The break at the intersection of Centre and Richie streets near Columbus Avenue sent approximately 15,000 gallons of water per minute flooding into Jamaica Plain and Roxbury neighborhoods at its peak.

Context & Background

The rupture occurred Tuesday afternoon, March 17, at approximately 3 p.m., involving a 12-inch diameter pipe fed by a 36-inch transmission line. The affected cast iron pipe dates back to 1897 and was last rehabilitated in the 1990s, according to the Boston Water and Sewer Commission. Water flooded streets, spilled into businesses, and forced the evacuation of three child care facilities in the area. The incident severely impacted the evening commute on Tuesday as crews worked to isolate the break and begin repairs.

Key Details

Repair crews worked round-the-clock from Tuesday evening through Thursday afternoon to fix the damage, completing excavation work and pumping out water from the affected area. The commission said the break dispensed water at peak flow before crews could shut down the affected section. Repaving of the roadway was finished Thursday afternoon, restoring the street surface to normal conditions. The break raised concerns about potential icing conditions as temperatures dropped Tuesday night, though officials didn't report any weather-related complications during the repair work.

Timeline & Implementation

The water main ruptured at approximately 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2026, near the Jackson Square intersection. The Boston Water and Sewer Commission announced completion of repair work Thursday morning, March 19. Repaving was finished Thursday afternoon, and Columbus Avenue reopened in both directions around 3 p.m., restoring normal traffic flow in time for the evening commute.

Rider Impact & Moovit

The two-day closure forced bus routes serving Jackson Square to detour around the affected intersection, adding travel time for riders commuting between Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, and downtown Boston. With Columbus Avenue now reopened, transit service has returned to normal routing in the area. Riders can check Moovit for real-time updates on Boston bus routes and any remaining service adjustments near Jackson Square.