Westheimer water main closes lanes for second time this week

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- As the Friday morning rush hour begins, all eastbound lanes of Westheimer near the Galleria are open, but only one westbound lane is open. City work crews are repairing a broken water line.

The City of Houston says some of the work was delayed yesterday because The Galleria mall management wanted to keep the water running until the mall closed.

The city shut down water to repair the line in the 5100 block of Westheimer, and surrounding business are feeling the impact of the ongoing water problems. That includes the Grand Lux Caf, which had to turn away diner after diner during the lunch hour, Thursday.

"It's sad," said Alice Gonzalez, who was planning to celebrate her birthday with several friends at the restaurant. "It's the holidays, and everybody is getting out to go to lunch and I love Grand Lux."

A little further down on Wesheimer, an office building posted signs that said "No Water, no restrooms" on its doors. Caution tape surrounded the buildings bathrooms like a crime scene.

"We we were hoping it gets fixed Tuesday, and it broke again, and you saw the pavement destroyed, and I'm guessing they have to open it back up," said Ashley Garza, who worked from home several days this week because of the ongoing water issues.

According to the City of Houston, the 12-inch cast iron pipe that stretches from Post Oak to Sage is 60 years old. The pipe runs under Westheimer, which is considered a State of Texas road outside the 610 Loop. City records show parts of the pipe have been repaired 12 times since 2011, which city officials say is fairly average.

"As of right now it's not on the plans as of yet (for a permanent fix)," said Alvin Wright, a spokesperson for the Department of Public Works. Wright says there are plans to replace the entire section, but doing so would include working with state local officials, finding the funds, and planning an extensive shut down. All that could take years.

So for now, the city is replacing a 35-feet pipe that should be effective through the holiday season.