WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA – Crews are moving closer to reopening a stretch of Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood after a major water main break created a large sinkhole, damaged property and forced days of road closures, officials said.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power said workers have completed major pipe repairs and poured 300 cubic yards of concrete slurry into the excavation trench after pressure testing confirmed the repaired section was holding.
The rupture involved a 36-inch water main that is part of the roughly 10-mile Sunset Trunk Line, a large-diameter pipeline dating back to 1916. Officials said the line had already been designated for replacement, with construction on that broader project currently scheduled to begin in 2031.
Information gathered by Street People indicates more than 250 LADWP workers were involved in the repair operation. Crews poured about 30 truckloads of concrete slurry into the trench after welding a new 25-foot pipe section into place.
The slurry is undergoing a 24-hour curing process, while crews disinfect the repaired pipe with chlorine to ensure it is clear of bacteria. Asphalt repaving is expected to begin as the work moves into its final phase.
Drinking water remains safe, officials said, and service to the surrounding neighborhood has continued through an auxiliary 8-inch distribution line. LADWP is still urging customers to conserve water to help reduce the risk of lower pressure during peak demand.
The break happened around 3 a.m. Thursday on Sunset Boulevard near Holloway Drive, sending water through the area, flooding garages, moving parked vehicles and shifting large slabs of concrete. Some nearby businesses, including Book Soup, were forced to temporarily close.
By 7 a.m. Thursday, LADWP crews had shut off the rushing water and stopped further downstream flooding toward Santa Monica Boulevard. The primary pipe repair was completed Sunday night, followed by pressure testing and slurry placement Tuesday afternoon.
Several road closures remain in place while crews finish the work. Hard closures include areas near Sunset and Horn, Sunset east of Larrabee, Palm Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard, Larrabee and Santa Monica Boulevard, and portions of Palm Avenue near Nelles Drive.
Soft closures remain around Sunset and San Vicente, Sunset and Larrabee, Sunset west of Sherbourne, Holloway between Hancock and Palm, and Cynthia Street near San Vicente.
Officials have not determined what caused the rupture. LADWP officials noted that water line pressure typically reaches its highest levels overnight, when customer demand is lower.
The total cost of repairs and the full extent of private property damage have not yet been released.
Once repaving is complete and the pipe passes water quality testing, LADWP will seek final regulatory approvals before returning the 36-inch trunk line to full service. Sunset Boulevard is expected to reopen by the end of the week if the remaining work stays on schedule.
Residents and business owners affected by the break can file property damage claims through LADWP or call 1-800-DIAL-DWP. Additional updates are available through the City of West Hollywood and LADWP.
