Major water main break in Jackson Square floods streets, causes detours

Local News

Drivers and pedestrians were asked to avoid the area Tuesday afternoon due to flooding at the intersection in Jamaica Plain.

A major water main break in Jackson Square caused flooding Tuesday afternoon. Barry Chin/The Boston Globe

A major water main in Jamaica Plain broke Tuesday afternoon, flooding streets and forcing traffic to be rerouted, according to city officials.

The break occurred at the intersection of Columbus Avenue and Centre and Ritchie streets in Jackson Square, the Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) said on X. Repair crews and firefighters arrived shortly before 4 p.m. to investigate the flooding.

BWSC investigating major water main break Columbus Ave near intersection Centre and Ritchie Sts Jackson Sq. Traffic impeded in all direction at intersection by flooding. BPD on scene rerouting traffic. Avoid area. Stay tuned for updates.

— BWSC (@BOSTON_WATER) March 17, 2026

Boston police responded to reroute traffic, which was blocked at the intersection in all directions, the commission said. The flooding prompted the MBTA to temporarily close the Jackson Square busway, according to a post on X.

Routes for the 14, 22, 29, 41, and 44 buses were detoured to avoid the affected area, the MBTA said. Orange Line service was not impacted by the flooding.

The Jackson Square busway is temporarily closed due a water main break in the area. Route 14, 22, 29, 41 and 44 buses are being detoured around the area.

Visit https://t.co/Pf4D3a9bvr for more information and connection points.

— MBTA (@MBTA) March 17, 2026

As of 8:30 p.m., crews were still working to shut off the water and drain the affected streets, a BWSC spokesperson told Boston.com. At this time, the public was still being asked to avoid the area.

The broken 36-inch transmission main “covers a vast area” beyond Egleston Square, the BWSC said on X. Crews managed to shut the main down about halfway by around 5:40 p.m., The Boston Globe reported.

BWSC crews are in the process of locating a valve to turn off the water for the 36-inch transmission main (which covers a vast area beyond Egleston Sq) at the intersection of Centre and Ritchie Sts Jackson Sq. Stay tuned for updates. pic.twitter.com/BozBDRJP3N

— BWSC (@BOSTON_WATER) March 17, 2026

Three nearby daycare businesses were forced to evacuate due to the flooding, the Globe reported. They will remain closed until the water has successfully been shut down.

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