Columbus Avenue in Roxbury briefly turned into a churning brown river just before 4 p.m. Tuesday, after a major water main ruptured near the Jackson Square MBTA stop. The break, at Centre and Richie streets, sent muddy water racing across the roadway and partially swallowed parked cars, forcing police to shut down Columbus Avenue between Heath and Armory streets while crews scrambled to respond.
City crews from the Boston Water and Sewer Commission moved in to shut off the damaged line and start checking how badly the pavement had been chewed up, the commission said. Sky 5 aerials showed brown, murky water pouring over Columbus Avenue and lapping at vehicle doors, and WCVB reported that police had Columbus Avenue closed from Heath Street to Armory Street while traffic was rerouted. It was not immediately clear whether MBTA service at Jackson Square was affected.
Traffic and transit impacts
Boston police urged drivers to steer clear of the area and expect delays while crews pumped out water and started initial repair work. This stretch of the city is no stranger to sudden street floods. Boston.com reported a major water main break on Tremont Street in October 2024 that sent water coursing down the roadway and damaged at least one vehicle, a reminder of how disruptive these failures can be.
What officials say and the bigger picture
The Boston Water and Sewer Commission has laid out a 2026 to 2028 Capital Improvement Program that includes ongoing water main replacement and lining projects across Boston, with targeted work in Roxbury aimed at cutting down on incidents like Tuesday’s break. For a broader look at how local fixes fit into the regional system, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority provides information on water delivery, outages and system-wide operations.
For now, residents and commuters are being advised to avoid Columbus Avenue around Jackson Square until repairs are far enough along for police to reopen the roadway. Officials are urging people to keep an eye on city and utility channels for updates, and local outlets are expected to post new details as the Boston Water and Sewer Commission and Boston police release more information.
