CARLSBAD — A water main break that triggered a large sinkhole and buckling pavement at one of the city’s busiest intersections prompted a local emergency declaration and road closures over the weekend, with some traffic lanes now gradually reopening as repairs continue.
The break was reported at about 4 a.m. on Jan. 31 at the intersection of Carlsbad Village Drive and El Camino Real, damaging six traffic lanes on El Camino Real and four lanes on Carlsbad Village Drive, according to city officials.
The rupture caused a sinkhole and extensive roadway damage, forcing the immediate closure of the intersection and surrounding streets.
To speed repairs, the city and Carlsbad Municipal Water District declared a local emergency, allowing the city to bypass the normal bidding process and begin work immediately.
By Sunday, crews had repaired damage in the southbound lanes of El Camino Real and continued work at the sinkhole and broken pipe.
As of the latest update, some lanes have reopened, including portions of southbound El Camino Real — excluding the left-turn lane onto eastbound Carlsbad Village Drive — one northbound lane on El Camino Real, and one westbound lane on Carlsbad Village Drive. Eastbound Carlsbad Village Drive east of El Camino Real remains closed.
City officials said the intersection is expected to fully reopen by midweek, once pavement repairs are complete.
“When issues arise that affect public safety and quality of life, we work as quickly as possible to address them for our community,” City Manager Geoff Patnoe said in a statement. “We realize this is a high-traffic area for our residents and surrounding communities and want to be sure we are doing everything possible to expedite these repairs.”
Residents in nearby neighborhoods have kept water service, though some reported low water pressure during the initial response. City officials urged drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to continue using alternate routes and to expect delays as work continues.
The emergency declaration took effect immediately and will remain in place until at least the Feb. 10 City Council meeting, when council members — who also serve as the water district’s board of directors — will consider whether to extend it. If continued, the declaration must be reviewed at each subsequent regular meeting until the emergency ends.
Officials said updates will continue to be shared through the city’s website and social media channels as repairs progress.
