Back River Neck Road has been shut down in both directions at Old Eastern Avenue in Essex while Baltimore public works crews repair a water main break, according to a DPW spokesman.

The break in the 12-inch main is affecting seven businesses, three homes, a senior apartment complex and three hydrants, according to spokesman Kurt Kocher. Bank River Neck Road is closed between Old Eastern Avenue and Homberg Avenue.

Temporary repairs were not likely to be completed before the evening rush, Kocher said.

Baltimore owns and maintains the system that supplies water to both city and county residents, and the county makes capital improvements. There have been several water main breaks at this site recently, and a replacement project has been added to Baltimore County's capital improvement program list.

The main dates back to 1927, just one more example of the aging water system that needs an overhaul, the spokesman said.

"All we're doing right now is patch with a new section, connect to the old section," Kocher said. "You've got this rust connected to new, connected to rust."

City officials requested a 9 percent water rate increase for Baltimore residents to address infrastructure needs, he said.