A significant water line valve broke under the roadway Wednesday night near the bridge, causing water to shoot up on the street.

Parkersburg Mayor Bob Newell says that causes two problems. The most immediate, he says, is roadway ice. It also washes away the dirt from under the road creating the potential for the road to collapse.

Crews got to work immediately patching the break and the water line. Supervisor Eric Bennett says they should be wrapping up Thursday evening.

Viewers say traffic was pretty backed up there throughout the day, stretching all the way in to Vienna. Police say there were a few fender benders, as well.

Bennett says this patch is only temproray, and they will have to do a more permanent fix this spring.