FLOODING CAUSES TRAFFIC DISRUPTION
Water main breaks on Route 440

Monday, December 07, 2009

A water main break caused flooding at a chromium remediation site on Route 440 in Jersey City Friday night, but police said there was no danger to the public, officials said.

Police responded to the Honeywell site at Route 440 near Culver Avenue at 7:30 p.m. and were told there was a loud explosion in a sprinkler room, reports said.

Water was pouring from an 8-inch main at the location and flooding the area, reports said.

The water was finally shut off at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, reports said.

The flood snarled traffic along Route 440 and prompted the closure of the two northbound lanes for a period, according to police reports.

Police said there is no danger of chromium exposure to the public.

The site is undergoing a multi-million dollar cleanup as a result of a lawsuit that was filed by the Interfaith Community Organization, a church-led nonprofit.

MICHAELANGELO CONTE