PART OF ROAD CAVES IN BREAKS IN MAJOR WATER PIPE UNDERMINE SAND CANYON.

Byline: Kathleen Sweeney Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - A portion of Sand Canyon Road washed away early Monday after heavy rain runoff slammed into a water main pipe, which then burst in a construction area, officials said.

About 50 residents were without water for most the day after four sections of the pipe broke, leaving up to a foot of standing water on the road, officials said.

The road is expected to remain closed as long as a week.

``It's just made a nightmare out there,'' said William Manetta, president of the Santa Clarita Water Co.

The road, just south of Road Runner Road, started to give about 11 p.m. Sunday as pouring rain pushed through a temporary drain plug in a construction ditch along Sand Canyon Road, officials said.

As the drain collapsed, water washed away the ditch and slammed into the pipe. After the pipe burst, about 50 feet of the road crumbled.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Works officials said a subcontractor was replacing the nearby storm drain because the road floods during heavy rains.

Department spokeswoman Donna Guyovich said construction crews were following departmental procedures when they plugged the drain with sand bags.

Guyovich said the construction company will pay to replace the road and the water pipe, and the storm-drain project will be finished.

She could not immediately estimate how much it will cost to repair the damages.

``When something like this happens, it's unforeseen,'' said Guyovich. ``This is normal standard operating procedure. This took a turn for the worse because of the amount of water.''

Sand Canyon Road traffic is being detoured to Comet Way and Lost Canyon Road. Traffic officials urged motorists to use extreme caution.

Manetta said water company workers were waiting Monday afternoon to replace the pipe until other utility companies made their repairs.

He said he hoped residents of the area would have water before this morning.

CAPTION(S):

photo, map

Photo:

(color) Work starts Monday on restoring a part Sand Canyon Road that collapsed earlier in the day.

Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News

Map: Santa Clarita - Road washed away