SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Drivers in South Portland are facing a messy Friday morning commute due to a broken water main.
The main burst just after 6 p.m. on Thursday between the 700 and 800 blocks on Broadway, causing a section of the road to cave in.
The leaking water damaged nearby homes and businesses. J.P. Thornton's Café and Deli had to evacuate as many as 100 people.
Broadway was impassable for a time, but crews got one lane of traffic open by morning. Police say even that single lane will once again be closed off periodically throughout the day as required by repair crews.
This is the fifth water main break in that same general area in the past week. Police say so many breaks are odd for this time of year. To find out the cause, an investigation of the water system will be launched on Friday.
NEWS CENTER