Major water line severed

Crews are working to repair a severed water main at the northeast corner of Town Center Parkway and University Parkway. The northbound lanes of Town Center Parkway have been closed while the line is repaired.

The severed line is the primary water carrier for Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, so water through that line cannot be shut off. Instead, crews are working to find an alternate source of water for the hospital before shutting off the broken line.

Manatee County Public Works and Utilities crews, along with Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and local fire department officials are on the scene to assess the situation and to ensure safe traffic flow. At 11 a.m., officials had not identified the cause of the break.

A nearby catch basin is preventing flooding in the streets, but some water has spilled into the busy intersection. A hoist will soon be in place to support a traffic signal arm along University.

The Town Center Parkway northbound lanes will be closed for an indefinite period while the water line is repaired.

For more information, call Manatee County Information Outreach at (941) 745-3771.