It Could Be Weeks Before Vinton Street Is Open Again

MELROSE, MA — Vinton Street will be partially closed to everyone except abutters while crews spend the next few weeks repairing the road ruptured by a major water main break, a city official said Wednesday.

Director of Public Works Director Elena Proakis Ellis said the road will be closed to almost everyone for the "foreseeable future" while the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority works on repairing the asphalt, which was completely ruined by Tuesday night's burst. The infrastructure damage is still being evaluated.

"We need to make sure everything is in good working order, make sure everything is safe, accommodate the residents as best we can that live along this stretch of road," Proakis Ellis said from the scene. "And the MWRA will be out here for at least a few weeks repairing the road, repairing the infrastructure."

The asphalt on Vinton approaching the Lynn Fells Parkway more resembles Swiss cheese than a passable road. Significant cracks are scattered along the now wavy, up-and-down pavement.

While Melrose has had its issues with underground water and sewer lines, the ruptured pipeline does not belong to the city, but rather the MWRA.

The 20-inch cast iron pipe was originally installed in 1957. It serves Melrose and parts of Wakefield and Saugus; the MWRA will need to fix the connection to Wakefield's emergency pump station.

While the cause is still unknown, an MWRA spokesperson said no leaks were found in previous monitoring.

MBTA staff determined the work at the nearby Lynn Fells Parkway Bridge Replacement project did not contribute to the break.

"The project has not performed roadway or utility work to date, and the apparent water main breakage point is several hundred feet away from Bridge Replacement work zone," MBTA spokesperson Lisa Battiston said.

Vinton Street will remain closed to vehicles and pedestrians between Lynn Fells Parkway and Glen Road.

The Lynn Fells Parkway was partially closed Tuesday as crews worked through the night to fix the break. Water service, which was impacted throughout the city, had been largely restored by the end of the night.

Traffic has resumed under the bridge in both directions but was being diverted westbound at Tremont Street.

Mike Carraggi can be reached at mike.carraggi@patch.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatchCarraggi. Subscribe to Melrose Patch for free local news and alerts and like us on Facebook