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Major water main break in Minneapolis

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Jan 4, 2013 at 7:44 am

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (KNSI) A small portion of downtown Minneapolis remains closed to traffic after a major water main break sent 14 million gallons of water gushing into city streets.

An area near the Hennepin Ave. bridge was closed today. Public works director Steve Kotke says the city wants to make sure the rushing water didn't undermine the pavement or underground utilities.

Kotke says about a half-dozen buildings in a three-block area are likely to be without water until Saturday evening.

The water main break happened Thursday afternoon when an excavation contractor was working near the pipe. The water main delivers water to a large portion of Minneapolis.

Some businesses left without plumbing sent employees home. The flooding also snarled afternoon traffic.