Roadway repairs to address the aftermath of a water main break are currently on hold as the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) waits for fill material to properly set. This will require the continued closure of roads and a sidewalk in the vicinity of First Avenue S and S Massachusetts Street.

The void created under First Avenue S was backfilled by Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) with liquid controlled density fill (CDF) material that must cure before SDOT can begin temporary restoration work on the damaged pavement and sidewalk. At this point, the CDF has not set sufficiently to support traffic.

Due to this, the following areas will remain closed: 

• The northbound travel lane on First Avenue South from South Massachusetts Street to Edgar Martinez Drive
• South Massachusetts Street from South Occidental Avenue to First Avenue South
• The eastern sidewalk on First Avenue South from South Holgate Street to Edgar Martinez Drive

Once temporary restoration work is completed, over the next several weeks SDOT will assess the full extent of the work required and plan for the permanent restoration of damaged roads and sidewalk.

Early Tuesday morning, a long lateral break occurred in a 16-inch drinking water main running north/south on First Avenue South at South Massachusetts Street.