Days-Long Lane Closures Hit Busy Phoenix Intersection

An 18-inch water leak is causing a multi-day repair effort off 24th Street and Camelback Road

PHOENIX — A critical waterpipe break has led to ongoing repairs and significant traffic disruptions at the intersection near Biltmore Fashion Park.

The break, occurring 14 feet below the surface, was detected Saturday, initiating repair work early Monday.

“They’re likely to be in place until Thursday at this point,” said Mike Gertzman of the Phoenix Water Services Department. “During rush hours, people are likely to experience significant delays due to these traffic restrictions. So definitely try to avoid the area.”

All roads remain open, but several lane restrictions are currently in effect. The northbound right lane on 24th Street is closed, the southbound double left lanes are reduced to one, and Camelback Road eastbound has a double right lane closure.

“Be very alert, be cautious, go slow. If you can avoid the intersection that would be ideal,” Gertzman added, stressing safety for drivers.

Pinpointing the cause of the 14-foot deep leak remains challenging. Fortunately, Gertzman notes that it is not severe.

“The infrastructure in Phoenix is getting older. The ground shifts and pipes wear out,” he explained. “Sometimes they break and burst, and you’ll see a lot of water in the street. We’re not seeing that here, which is good. That means they caught it early.”

Despite the increased traffic, Phoenix Water Services assured that businesses in the area should not be affected.