A 36-inch riveted steel water pipe, more than a century old, ruptured beneath Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood early Thursday, July 16, sending water spewing into the streets and creating a sinkhole that snarled traffic and forced business closures. The break occurred in the iconic Sunset Strip area, a hub of restaurants, bars, and retail.
No Injuries Reported; Water Supply Safe
John Heilman, mayor of West Hollywood, confirmed during a Thursday press conference that no injuries had been reported and no evacuations were necessary. “All of our residents to our knowledge are safe,” he said. David Hanson, interim general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), assured that neighborhood residents still have clean drinking water.
Images from the scene showed local metro buses partially submerged in murky brown water, and a sinkhole had opened in the pavement. The cause of the rupture remains unknown.
Infrastructure Challenges Highlighted
Anselmo Collins, LADWP’s chief operating officer, noted that the agency annually installs or replaces about 45 miles (72 km) of pipes. “Unfortunately, sometimes there may be parts of the pipeline where you end up with a weak spot and it reveals itself when you have these types of leaks,” he said. He explained that water pressure typically surges at night, making water main breaks more common during those hours. Collins did not provide a timeline for repairs, stating that crews are working to shut smaller valves and assess the damage.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass cited the pipe break as evidence of the need for a comprehensive infrastructure plan. “This is one of the challenges when our infrastructure is so old,” she said at the press conference. She noted that the pipe predates West Hollywood’s incorporation as an independent city in 1984. Bass mentioned that a comprehensive infrastructure plan was rolled out two months ago and will be on the November ballot for voter approval. “It is very difficult to repair the infrastructure that impacts the entire city and clearly two cities – West Hollywood and Los Angeles – without a citywide plan,” she added.
Businesses Affected; Traffic Disrupted
The flooding severely impacted local businesses. Dialog Cafe, a popular brunch spot, announced on social media that it was temporarily closed after sustaining “significant damage.” The restaurant stated, “We don’t yet know exactly when we’ll be able to reopen.” Several major roads in the area were shut down, causing major traffic disruptions. Mayor Heilman acknowledged the inconvenience: “We know these road closures and traffic impacts are disruptive, and we appreciate everyone’s patience as crews work to stabilize the area, assess the damage, and begin repairs.”
