Water main break buckles northwest Calgary intersection

A water main break shut down an intersection in Hounsfield Heights-Briar Hill in Calgary on Tuesday morning.

The break flooded the street and buckled the asphalt at Eighth Avenue and 15th Street N.W.

The intersection was blocked off while an inspection crew worked to determinethe cause ofthe break and begin making repairs.

City of Calgary water services manager Cliff Brady saysit's unlikely the recent rise in temperature had anything to do with the break. He said the age of the pipes and the condition of the soil are other possible factors.

"At this point in time we think the average frost depth in Calgary is about four feet;our pipes are installed much deeper, at around the nine-foot level," he said.

Repair work should be completed in about two days, Brady said.

Water mainwork was also affecting traffic in the Beltline area on Tuesday as crews repaired damaged pipes at 11th Avenue between First and Second streets S.W.

• MORE CALGARY NEWS|Marlborough Mall carjacking suspect arrested
• MORE CALGARY NEWS|Crowdfunding campaign rescues Fur-Ever Homes dog rescue