West Hollywood sinkhole repair enters final phase with late-week reopening expected
Crews move closer to reopening Sunset Blvd.
Officials said the 10-mile Sunset Trunk Line that ruptured had already been designated for replacement.
WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - Crews in West Hollywood have reached a critical milestone in repairing a massive Sunset Boulevard sinkhole caused by a major water main break.
With main pipe repairs welded into place and concrete slurry now poured, workers are advancing toward street resurfacing, water quality testing, and fully reopening the corridor by the end of the week.
What we know:
Over 250 Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) workers poured 30 truckloads—300 cubic yards—of concrete slurry into the excavation trench following thorough pressure testing to ensure all leaks were resolved.
Crews are currently awaiting the completion of the 24-hour slurry curing process while actively disinfecting the newly repaired pipe with chlorine to ensure it remains free of bacteria. Asphalt repaving is expected to begin today.
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Drinking water remains completely safe for residents, and neighborhood service continues uninterrupted through an auxiliary 8-inch distribution line.
However, LADWP continues to urge customers to conserve water to help avoid lower water pressure periods during peak demand times.
5 water main breaks in a week raising questions
A series of water main breaks across Los Angeles has raised concerns about the city’s aging underground infrastructure.
The initial break pushed parked cars, flooded garages, and shifted massive slabs of concrete, forcing local businesses like Book Soup to temporarily close.
The ruptured 36-inch line, part of the 10-mile Sunset Trunk Line, dates back to 1916 and was already designated for replacement under a project scheduled to begin construction in 2031.
Multiple road closures remain active as work nears completion:
- Hard Closures: Sunset & Horn; Sunset east of Larrabee; Palm Ave & Santa Monica; Larrabee & Santa Monica; Palm (south and north of Nelles).
- Soft Closures: Sunset & San Vicente; Sunset & Larrabee (north/south); Sunset west of Sherbourne; Holloway (Hancock to Palm); Cynthia & San Vicente.
What we don't know:
The cause of the break remains under investigation. However, Anselmo Collins, LADWP’s chief operating officer and senior assistant general manager of the water system, noted that line pressure naturally reaches its highest levels overnight when overall customer demand drops.
Officials have not yet released estimates regarding the total financial cost of the repairs or the full extent of private property damage across West Hollywood.
Timeline:
Thursday, 3 a.m.: The 36-inch water main ruptures on Sunset Boulevard at Holloway Drive, releasing a massive deluge.
Thursday, 7 a.m.: LADWP crews successfully shut off the rushing water, stopping further downstream flooding toward Santa Monica Boulevard.
Sunday Night: Crews complete the primary pipe repair, welding a new 25-foot pipe section into place.
Tuesday Afternoon: LADWP announces the completion of pressure testing and the pouring of 300 cubic yards of concrete slurry into the excavation trench.
Wednesday: Slurry curing and pipe chlorine disinfection progress on schedule; asphalt pouring scheduled to begin.
End of Week: Expected completion of pipe disinfection, regulatory sign-offs, street resurfacing, and the full reopening of Sunset Boulevard.
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City officials encouraged residents, businesses and visitors to check the website for the latest information as repair work continues.
What's next:
Once asphalt pouring is complete and the concrete slurry fully cures, LADWP will finish water quality testing to secure final regulatory sign-offs.
After passing these checks, the repaired 36-inch trunk line will officially return to full service, and Sunset Boulevard will reopen to traffic.
On a broader scale, LADWP is moving forward with design work to replace 6.4 miles of large-diameter pipeline and 3.5 miles of distribution pipe along the corridor, with construction scheduled to start in 2031.
What you can do:
Affected residents and business owners seeking support or looking to file property damage claims related to this incident can submit a claim at LADWP.com/Claims or call 1-800-DIAL-DWP.
Additional city resources, parking adjustments, and updates can be accessed at weho.org/watermainbreak or LADWPNews.com.
The Source: This report is based on information by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and previous FOX 11 reports. Additional local recovery resources and impact details were gathered from public advisories issued by the City of West Hollywood. City News Service contributed.