Water main broke in Paso Robles ahead of Mid-State Fair. Will it impact traffic?
The road in front of the Mid-State Fair was expected to reopen Wednesday afternoon after a water main broke Tuesday night, closing the road to northbound traffic and cutting off water to nearby businesses.
The water main broke on Riverside Avenue south of 24th Street late Tuesday night as preparations for the first day of the Mid-State Fair were underway, and as a sold-out pre-fair concert featuring popular country singer Chris Stapleton was held on the grounds.
Riverside Avenue remained closed to northbound traffic between 24th Street and Gregory Avenue as of Wednesday.
But according to a Wednesday news release, city crews were “working diligently” to repair the underground water line before the 4 p.m. start of the Mid-State Fair, which typically draws extra vehicle and foot traffic in the area.
Additionally, water was cut off to nearby businesses and was being rerouted until the line could be permanently repaired, the release said.
While the city hoped the road would be open ahead of the Fair, it was making preparations just in case.
“The city is working with Paso Robles Event Center operators and State representatives to plan for traffic adjustments in case Riverside Avenue is not able to open before the Mid-State Fair officially opens for its first day of the year at 4 p.m.,” the release said.
The water line rupture occurred Tuesday night just after a separate emergency incident that also affected the fairgrounds.
Just before 10 p.m., two large tree branches fell in an area used as a parking lot for fairgrounds staff, the release said. Two people were trapped and required extrication. In total, three fair employees were injured and one was transported to the hospital and later released, according to Wednesday’s release.
“The fallen boughs were removed, and the lot re-opened this morning,” the release said.
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