Times Square water main break floods streets, disrupts subway service

By Michael Stallone

Updated August 29, 2023 5:23pm EDT

Crews at work repairing water main break in Midtown

A century-old water main broke underneath 7th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan on Tuesday, sending millions of gallons of water into the streets and into the city's subway system.

MANHATTAN - A water main break in Times Square caused major problems Tuesday morning, flooding Midtown streets and prompting delays at the busy subway station.

The break happened just after 3 a.m. at 7th Ave. and 41st St.

Water from the break flooded several streets, including the 42nd St. subway station.

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Subway service was suspended through much of Manhattan on the 1, 2 and 3 lines.

Closures could also be expected around 7th Ave., between W. 42nd St. and W. 39th St., as well as around 40th St. and 8th Ave.

The 20-inch main dates back to 1896.

It’s not clear what caused the water main break, or how long repairs will take.