UPDATE 2:45 P.M. WEDNESDAY
A road depression on Clopper Road in Germantown has been identified as a water main break, according to the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission.
WSSC worked overnight to repair the 24-foot water main pipe that extends through Clopper Road. A new pipe was installed just before noon Wednesday.
A little before 2 p.m. Wednesday, WSSC reported they were still opening pipe valves in the area of Allspice Drive and Great Seneca Highway, which continues to delay opening of roads.
“Filling a main of this size must be done slowly to prevent another break. We appreciate your patience,” WSSC tweeted.
According to the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security, there is one lane open on Clopper Rd (MD-117), with flaggers directing and alternating traffic.
Officials say drivers should expect significant delays and choose alternate routes if possible.
There is a water station available at United Church of Christ of Seneca Valley for those affected by the water main break. Water is expected to be restored Wednesday afternoon.
WSSC officials are encouraging residents impacted by the water main break to follow flushing guidelines as their water is restored, which are available at www.wsscwater.com/discoloredwater.
____________
6:30 P.M TUESDAY
A stretch of Clopper Road (MD-117) that extends from Mateny Road to Waring Station Road in Germantown is closed due to a depression in the road.
The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration does not have an estimated time yet for reopening the road. Crews from SHA’s Gaithersburg maintenance shop were dispatched at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday to investigate a road depression, said Danny Allman, SHA’s Assistant Media Relations Manager.
“The crews are still investigating the cause of this depression,” Allman said. “SHA is encouraging drivers to drive slow and take alternate routes while crews investigate and work to repair the road.”
While Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security tweeted Tuesday that there was a sinkhole, Allman said it has yet to be established whether the depression is a sinkhole.