Fremont and Camino El Estero street water main break update for travelers

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION-TV) -- The City of Monterey confirmed Monday that there was a large water main break at Fremont Street and Camino El Estero.

They also gave a traffic alert update via Facebook Tuesday. They said that the water main break is still being repaired and anticipate a reopening late Wednesday, which would allow traffic flow back on westbound Fremont Street coming into Monterey.

Cal Am confirmed to KION that the street will be closed through Wednesday and possibly into Thursday as other agencies check the infrastructure of their pipes and materials.

"We've replaced the entire length of pipe and other infrastructure where the pipe was," said Cal Am's Director of External Affairs Josh Stratton. "The water line is fixed and all ready to go but we can't close up the hole until the rest of the infrastructure has been checked."

Before the road opens, the City of Monterey says that other utilities in the area also need repairs backfilling the trench.

The street status, according to the City of Monterey, is that the turn lane onto Camino El Estero will likely remain closed through the Thanksgiving holiday.

Wednesday until 1 p.m. the City of Monterey also suggests that drivers use alternate routes other than Pearl Street to allow for the Thanksgiving Meal pickup at El Estero Park Center.

Additionally, they say that the Fremont Street eastbound lanes remain open and motorists traveling into Downtown Monterey from Highway 1 should use alternate routes like Del Monte Avenue and Munras Avenue exits.

Originally, Cal Am sent out an urgent notification around 3 p.m. Monday regarding the water main break, stating that "customers may experience low pressure, discolored water or could have no water."

One KION viewer reported having no access to water in the area.