Milpas Street businesses impacted by road repair

Santa Barbara City Public Works crews restored water for a portion of Milpas Street after a water main break broke Monday afternoon.

“Unfortunately, it did some damage to the street so we’re in the process of repairing that right now,” said Rabi Days, water distribution supervisor for Santa Barbara City Public Works.

Days informed us that the public works department responded quickly to the water main break in order to help as many people and businesses in the area.

Several businesses including Prestige Hand Car Wash suffered damages from the break and was forced to close down.

“I came out and saw the street. Water erupting from the center of the street, water erupting also from the other side of the street,” said Frank Phalen, owner of Prestige Hand Car Wash.

In order to fix the street and make it safer for drivers, crews had to dig a 120 feet by 22 feet hole. That hole is in front of Phalen’s business.

“We also had a leak here. You can see the big pit behind me. Something happened when they put the pressure back on. A leak began in our piping so it seems like varying pressures may have cause a coupling to come loose,” said Phalen.

He informed us that he’s thankful the crews have been working diligently and quickly to restore the street.

Days, the water distribution supervisor, says the road should be open on Thursday. It’s unclear how the main broke. He says the pipe was installed in 1928.