Sunset Boulevard reopens following major West Hollywood water main break
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: LADWP crews reopen Sunset Blvd. overnight
The heavily traveled stretch of Sunset had been closed between Sherbourne Drive and San Vicente Boulevard since about 3 a.m. July 16 when the rupture occurred beneath Sunset Boulevard at Holloway Drive.
WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - A major stretch of Sunset Boulevard has reopened to traffic following more than a week of intensive around-the-clock repair work caused by a massive 36-inch water main break in West Hollywood.
What we know:
The closure affected Sunset Boulevard between Sherbourne Drive and San Vicente Boulevard after the rupture occurred around 3 a.m. on July 16 beneath Sunset Boulevard at Holloway Drive.
The break released roughly 17 million gallons of water, shifting concrete slabs, pushing parked cars, and flooding nearby garages.
To reopen the road safely, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) crews shifted to an alternate plan after recurring leaks stalled initial testing.
Crews isolated the damaged section of the trunk line, replaced a 12-inch valve, and temporarily rerouted water flow through an existing 8-inch pipeline to maintain local water service while allowing street paving to proceed.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- Sunset Boulevard reopening targeted for Friday or Saturday following new pinhole leak
- West Hollywood sinkhole repair enters final phase with late-week reopening expected
- 5 water main breaks in a week raising questions about Los Angeles' aging infrastructure
"Our crews worked tirelessly, day and night, to make progress on the complex, multi-step repairs," said David W. Hanson, LADWP's interim general manager. "The West Hollywood community has shown remarkable patience and resilience throughout this challenging week."
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Sunset Blvd. expected to reopen overnight after water main repairs
The specific cause of the break was under investigation.
What we don't know:
The specific cause of the pipe rupture remains under investigation.
Anselmo Collins, LADWP's chief operating officer and senior assistant general manager of the water system, noted that pressure inside municipal water delivery lines reaches its peak at night when public demand drops significantly.
What they're saying:
"From the start, LADWP has prioritized safety, recognizing that the reopening of the street depended on our ability to safely fill and repressure the pipe," the department said in an official statement. "However, due to recurring leaks following attempted repairs, LADWP crews shifted to an alternate plan that allows us to safely move forward with street restoration and isolate a section of the water pipe, while maintaining reliable and safe water service."
Looking ahead at long-term infrastructure, Hanson added, "we are committed to accelerating the full replacement of the trunk line and collaborating closely with our agency and city partners to deliver enhanced infrastructure and reliability."
SUGGESTED COVERAGE: New water main break floods West Hollywood
Just days after repairing the water main that broke last week, another main break flooded West Hollywood streets for the second time in less than seven days.
What's next:
LADWP will return in the coming weeks to finish permanent street paving along Sunset Boulevard, coordinating with West Hollywood officials to minimize traffic impacts from any necessary lane closures.
Additionally, LADWP announced it will accelerate the full replacement of this trunk line—a project originally scheduled for 2031. The full replacement is projected to take four years and will involve extensive traffic management planning, community coordination, and environmental permitting.
What you can do:
Residents and business owners affected by flooding can find claims information at LADWP.com/claims or contact customer service directly at 1-800-DIAL-DWP.
The City of West Hollywood has set up an information hub at weho.org/watermainbreak, featuring regular updates on detours, parking enforcement changes, Metro routes, and local hotel discounts for impacted residents.
The Source: This report is based on official statements, technical updates, and public announcements issued by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), including detailed statements from Interim General Manager David W. Hanson and Chief Operating Officer Anselmo Collins. Details regarding emergency response, local detour resources, and recovery support were cross-referenced with official communications provided by the City of West Hollywood.