Updated: Aug. 31, 2016

By Jim Newell
Review Staff Writer

A section of Conklin Road closed after a water main break shortly before 8 p.m. Monday.
Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett said that the contractors were testing the water main at full pressure, which caused the main to burst.
The contractors will be responsible for covering the damage, he said.
“The part should be arriving tomorrow. Until then there will be one-way traffic on the street,” Barnett said.
Police and DPW workers closed Conklin between Forest Lake Boulevard and Oak Grove Monday evening, putting barricades in place overnight.
The break also affects Bunny Run Boulevard at the Conklin intersection.
Conklin Road between Bunny Run and Forest Lake boulevards was reduced to one lane for emergency water main repairs on Tuesday, said Cindy Dingell, of the Oakland County Road Commission.
“The major crossroads for the lane closure are Indian Lake and Miller roads. Flaggers are directing traffic through the work zone area and motorists can expect delays.
“The road is expected to fully reopen to traffic later this evening (Tuesday),” Dingell said.
Assistant Public Works Director Bill Basigkow said the contractor was on the scene Tuesday morning to begin repairs.
“The Contractor is working on it now, we’re not sure why it failed. It should be up and running by later today.”
Basigkow said residents should not worry about the safety of their drinking water, saying that the DPW was able to isolate the spot were the main broke, and it did not have any houses connected to it at that point.
But the contractor will do appropriate tests and chlorination just in case, Basigkow said.
Maureen Lemaster, who lives on Oak Grove, came out with her husband and daughter to witness the water gurgling up from the street.
“I can’t believe how much gravel is turning up,” she said. “What happens now? Does the road cave in? Because it could.”
Richard Lemaster said crews just finished installing the water main about a month ago; phase one of a project to tie homes on adjacent streets into the city water system.
“I feel bad for them (construction crews). It’s a lot of work,” Maureen said. “We waited a long time for city water, too.”