A half-mile section of U.S. 1 in Laurel was closed Friday because of a water main break, Howard County police said. According to police, an "older" 12-inch water main burst about 9:30 a.m. Northbound U.S. 1 was closed between Gorman and Corridor roads, with traffic being diverted onto Gorman Road. The cause of the water main break was under investigation, but police expected the portion of U.S. 1 to be closed through the evening rush hour.

- Don Markus