A half-mile section of Route 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 around 9:30 a.m. Northbound Route 1 was closed between Gorman Road and Corridor Road, with traffic being diverted onto Gorman Road.

The cause of the water main break was under investigation, but police expected the portion of Route 1 to be closed through the evening rush hour.