Gay Street at Saratoga Street, near Baltimore City Hall, will remain closed through the weekend due to a 16-inch water main break, public works officials said.
Gay Street traffic is being diverted at Fayette Street. City officials said drivers should take alternate routes.
By midday Thursday, after an evening and morning commute meandered around the closures, city public works officials said the closure would last through the weekend. Officials said the main will take longer to repair because of its close proximity of other underground utilities, and the concrete overlay.
Once crews finish repairing the broken section of the pipe, they must fill in the excavated area and refinish the road surface, officials said.
Water service is out along Gay Street, between Lexington Street and Orleans Street. Service could return by Friday evening.