Water main break disrupts traffic in Cambridge

A serious water main break in the Kendall Square area of Cambridge was causing major traffic problems in that area Thursday night.

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Officials were reporting that serious low water pressure problems were developing throughout the city as a result of the break.

The water pressure problem was of particular concern to fire officials because it could hinder any fire fighting efforts.The break had dumped about a foot of water in the vicinity of Broadway and Third Street.

Guests at the Cambridge Marriott were evacuated after the hotel's basement flooded. Officials feared the hotel may lose electrical power.

WCVB-TV reported that other operations in other buildings and businesses in the area were being curtailed by the break.

Television pictures from the area showed workmen in water nearly up to their knees.

Emergency crews were still working to shut off the flow of water.

Outbound highway traffic on the Longfellow Bridge was being detoured. Travel on Storrow Drive and Memorial Drive was also reportedly disrupted.

It was the second major traffic problem in the area this week.

On Tuesday, Boston and Cambridge were hit by day-long traffic jams caused as crews worked to repair potholes on area highways.