Portion of St. Paul Street in downtown Rochester remains shut down after major Holly water main break causes road damage

Rochester, New York – A busy stretch of St. Paul Street in downtown Rochester remains shut down following a major water main break that happened early Tuesday morning. The break, which occurred between Pleasant and Mortimer Streets, involved a high-pressure Holly water main and has forced a full closure of the affected area to all vehicle traffic.

City crews responded quickly after the incident, but the damage was significant enough to require days of repair work. Officials say the repairs are expected to be finished by Friday, July 18, weather permitting. Until then, drivers are strongly encouraged to plan ahead and find different ways to get around the closed section of the street.

Fortunately, despite the severity of the break, city officials have confirmed that the drinking water supply has not been impacted. “Drinking water is not affected,” authorities stated, offering some relief to nearby residents and businesses.

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Public transit users have less to worry about. The RTS Transit Center, which is close to the site of the break, is still fully operational. “The RTS Transit Center remains open, and bus service continues uninterrupted,” officials said. Commuters with questions about routes or schedules are advised to visit the Transit Center directly, call RTS customer service at (585) 288-1700, or go online at www.myrts.com.

This kind of infrastructure issue isn’t new to aging downtown systems, but it still causes significant inconvenience—especially for those who drive through the area daily. Crews are working steadily to minimize the disruption, though the area around the closure is already seeing heavier traffic as drivers reroute.

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Local businesses along St. Paul Street may also feel the effects of reduced foot and vehicle traffic this week. The city has not released information about potential compensation or aid for impacted business owners, but updates are expected as the situation develops.

In the meantime, officials continue to stress one simple message for commuters: avoid the area if you can. “Motorists should seek alternate routes,” the city reminded the public in its latest update.