Pipe leak covers West Markham in icy slush

A mix of ice and slush develops Monday, Dec. 6, 2014, from an underground water pipe leak at the intersection of West Markham Street and Rodney Parham Road in Little Rock.
A mix of ice and slush develops Monday, Dec. 6, 2014, from an underground water pipe leak at the intersection of West Markham Street and Rodney Parham Road in Little Rock.

Crews are working to identify a leaking underground water pipe that has created a ice-slush hazard for drivers traveling on West Markham Street in Little Rock on Monday morning.

The leak occurred about 1 a.m. at the intersection of West Markham Street and Rodney Parham Road, Water Distribution Specialist Wayne Birge of Central Arkansas Water said. Crews are using a crane to break into the concrete to find which underground water pipe has been damaged.

"There's asphalt and there's old concrete from years and years ago that we're having to get through," he said.

Birge said there are about two water pipes that run about 3 to 6 feet underneath the intersection. Crews suspect the cold weather could have caused the leak, because the ground shifts "more than normal" when freezing temperatures occur, Birge said.

Crews hope that when they pinpoint which pipe has leaked, they can use a metal clamp to seal it, Birge said. Putting in place a metal clamp would take about 30 minutes, he said.

Upcoming Events