The break happened Saturday morning near 47th and Loomis in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. When the 91-year-old water main burst, it flooded streets, alleys and basements. As of late Saturday, 47th Street between Racine and Ashland remained closed.
Emanuel said that without upgrades, the city will have to make emergency repairs at a higher cost. His administration wants to replace 900 miles of pipes, and upgrade 750 miles of sewer lines over the next decade.
The city hopes to reopen the 47th Street by Monday morning.
