Dramatic new images reveal progress at site of devastating West Hollywood water main break

Crews have been busy trying to repair the roads and sidewalks in West Hollywood damaged by the massive water main break that flooded the area last week when a 110-year-old pipe burst.

New photos on Wednesday show the dramatic progress construction workers have made to pave over a giant sinkhole at Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive.

The collapse was triggered on July 16 when the 36-inch cast-iron water main ruptured, sending thousands of gallons of high-pressure water through the area.

Trucks and bulldozers can be seen in the photos working on the roads, along with lines of construction workers in hard hats repairing the parts of the city that were damaged.

The destruction has created havoc for drivers who have been detoured around the area. 

When things will be completely repaired and back to normal is unclear, with road closures remaining in effect, per the West Hollywood Sheriff Station.

There currently remains no access to the public at the following spots:

• Horn Ave at Sunset Blvd, near the incident location
• San Vicente Blvd / N Clark St at Sunset Blvd (no eastbound traffic on Sunset Blvd from San Vicente Blvd/Clark St)
• Larrabee St at Sunset Blvd, north side
• Larrabee St at Sunset Blvd, south side
• Larrabee St at Santa Monica Blvd
• Palm Ave at Santa Monica Blvd

A “major water main break” occurred in the area of Sunset Blvd and Holloway Dr, the sheriff’s office previously told The California Post.

The break sent massive amounts of water through the streets, causing damage to property, homes and businesses, along with destroying roads.

Video from last week showed heavy flood water rushing down the streets of West Hollywood and around cars. 

Some eyewitnesses in the area reported that first-floor apartments and underground garages were flooded. Several cars also appeared to be trapped. 

The floods damaged the popular Dialog Cafe, and footage from the establishment captured the shocking moment the flooding began.

Mayor Karen Bass said in a press conference that the “main challenge” associated with the main break is to morning commuters. She said the pipes were more than 100 years old.

West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman said at the same presser that “all of our residents, to our knowledge, are safe.”

The burst pipe, which was constructed in 1916, has worsened concerns about the city’s aging infrastructure.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power said that they expect to finish repaving and reopening Sunset Boulevard later this week. 

It is still unclear what caused the water main to break.

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