On Thursday, Sept. 3, Atlanta Watershed Management crews told Rough Draft they plan to reopen a closed section of Roberts Drive near Roswell Road for holiday travelers on Labor Day weekend.
While crews were able to make an emergency repair to the water main on Sept. 1, a section of the roadway remains impassable. The on-site foreman indicated the roadway could open to one-lane traffic on or before Friday, Sept. 4.
“If you’re headed that way, follow the posted detour or take an alternate route if you can,” the city’s social media post said. “Crews are working to get the road reopened as quickly and safely as possible.
North End road closure
Around noon on Tuesday, Sept. 1, Sandy Springs Communications Director Carter Long announced that emergency repairs were underway.
“Main repair was completed about 5 p.m. yesterday [Tuesday, Sept. 1],” Long said. “Due to the condition of the road, it’s still closed. [Atlanta Watershed Management Department] contractors were on site this [morning] to begin restoration.”
In July, Roberts Drive closed in a similar spot for a few days after a crash damaged the water main and a fire hydrant. It’s unclear what caused the water main break.
While city staff were unable to confirm whether the water system failures were connected, Sandy Springs Middle School Principal Laurie Woodruff reported a loss of service. The school dismissed students at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1, instead of 4:05 p.m.
“We were able to provide lunch to all students,” Woodruff wrote to the school community. “However, for health and safety reasons, we cannot continue holding school without running water. Therefore, we must dismiss all students early.”
A school spokesperson said water service was restored to the building Tuesday afternoon, and students returned to class the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 2.
