Slowed by the summer rain, afternoon traffic in Juanita also had to contend with a water main break Aug. 25 that shut down part of 98th Avenue.

The break occurred around 1:30 p.m. on the 11700 block of 98th Avenue Northeast, pushing water to the surface and causing an upheaval in the roadway. The city of Kirkland and the Northshore Utility District (NUD) quickly closed 98th Avenue from Northeast 116th Street to Northeast 120th Street.

NUD Operations Director Alan Nelson said the 8-inch main, made of concrete and fiber mesh, was more than 40 years old and scheduled for replacement.

“It looks like a section just blew out,” he said.

Costs to repair the damaged main and roadway were estimated at $75,000. Working quickly to tear out roadway that had buckled from the water pressure, mechanical diggers and earthmovers dug away the eroded road’s foundation to prevent sink holes.

Covering parts of Kirkland, Bothell, Kenmore and Lake Forest Park, the NUD operates and maintains more than 250 miles of mainline 8-inch mains in the area.

A few of the businesses along the thoroughfare experienced a temporary loss of service, but Nelson called the utility disruption minor.

The NUD worked through the evening to conduct repairs, finishing the temporary repairs the following evening.

Area residents and businesses with service repair issues should contact NUD at 425-398-4400.