• Editor’s Note: This article was updated at around 3 p.m. Nov. 27.

An Elgin water main break early this morning (Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019) under the outside lane of Randall Road near I-90 caused heaving of the pavement and a major traffic backup.

Officials from the Kane County Division of Transportation say crews are on the site, attempting to repair the main and make the scene safe.

The city of Elgin is installing a temporary patch to hold over until Monday. City officials hope to have the roadway open by 6 p.m.

Molly Gillespie, communications manager for the city of Elgin, said Elgin residents’ water supply and water pressure will not be affected.

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“At no time was there a risk to the water quality,” she said. “The repairs should take a few hours before they can patch the road.”

he water main break was under the outside lane of Randall Road, about 500 feet to 1,000 feet south of the eastbound I-90 ramp.

Northbound Randall Road at I-90 has been experiencing significant backups since this morning. Officials suggest motorist avoid that area, if possible.

City of Elgin staff members said an alarm went off at around 4:30 a.m. signaling the Water Production Department that the Alft Road water tower had a depressurization caused by the water main leak.

By the time local crews were able to close the valves and secure the leak, about 2 million gallons of water had been lost, Elgin officials said.