Northwest Oklahoma City residents are still navigating detours as the southbound lanes of May Avenue remain closed for a second consecutive day. The interruption began Wednesday morning when a water main burst, forcing the city to shut down traffic from Northwest 59th Street to United Way Boulevard.
What happened
The water main failure was first reported early Wednesday, prompting city crews to block the southbound lanes of May Avenue to protect both workers and motorists. The city initially promised that repairs would be completed by Wednesday evening, but as of Thursday morning no new timeline has been provided.
Impact on drivers
Motorists traveling southbound in the affected corridor are advised to seek alternate routes. Common detour suggestions include using nearby streets such as Northwest 58th Street, West 63rd Avenue, or the United Way Boulevard frontage road to bypass the closed segment. Residents have reported increased traffic on these side streets, and local businesses along May Avenue have noted a slowdown in customer flow.
City response
Officials from the Oklahoma City Public Works Department have confirmed that crews are still on site working to locate the exact break point and replace the damaged pipe. While they have not issued a revised completion estimate, the department emphasized that safety remains the top priority and that they will provide updates as soon as they become available.
History of the issue
This is not the first water main incident at this location. A similar break occurred earlier in the week on Monday, prompting concerns about the age and condition of the underground infrastructure in the area. City engineers are reviewing the situation to determine whether additional preventative measures are needed to avoid future disruptions.
What residents can do
Drivers should stay alert for posted signage and follow any directions from traffic control personnel. The Oklahoma City Department of Transportation recommends checking the city’s traffic alert website or following the official city social‑media channels for real‑time updates. Residents who experience water service interruptions are encouraged to contact the utility provider’s emergency line.
Looking ahead
City officials have pledged to keep the community informed as repairs progress. Once the water main is fully restored, the southbound lanes of May Avenue are expected to reopen, allowing traffic to return to normal flow. In the meantime, patience and careful navigation of detour routes will help minimize inconvenience for commuters and local businesses alike.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
