Blackstone and Shaw intersection closed for emergency water main repair

A ruptured 24-inch water main forced Fresno Public Utilities crews to close all lanes at the intersection of North Blackstone Avenue and East Shaw Avenue early Thursday morning, with repairs expected to take at least 36 hours. The break, which sent water pooling into the parking lots of the Manchester Center, was reported to 3-1-1 shortly before 4 a.m. Water service was restored to about 400 nearby customers by 7 a.m., but the intersection itself will remain closed while crews excavate and replace roughly 60 feet of aging cast-iron pipe. Drivers heading north or south on Blackstone are being detoured to Palm Avenue. East-west traffic on Shaw is being routed via First Avenue. FAX bus routes 26 and 28 are on detour and expected to run 10 to 15 minutes late. Crews expect the intersection to reopen by Friday evening, weather permitting.