A major water main rupture on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles has caused significant disruption, with the street closed for six days.The 17-million-gallon leak, originating from a 1916 riveted steel pipe, has prompted extensive repairs.Officials initially hoped for a Monday reopening but now expect work to continue into the week.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) has completed pressure testing, sealed leaks, and is preparing to backfill the excavation site with concrete slurry.Next steps include installing a base layer, applying new asphalt, and conducting water-quality tests to ensure compliance with safety standards.The closure affects traffic between Sherbourne Drive and San Vicente Boulevard, with limited local access allowed.

LADWP emphasized that the pipeline will not resume service until all safety benchmarks are met, highlighting the complexity of repairing aging infrastructure.

The incident underscores broader challenges in maintaining Los Angeles' aging water distribution system, which spans 547 miles of underground trunk lines requiring replacement in the coming years.