Repair work on a ruptured 16-inch water main in Kalihi was expected to keep a section of North School Street closed to traffic in both directions last night.

Board of Water Supply spokeswoman Moani Wright-Van Alsp said that if repair work was not completed by early today, two lanes of North School Street between Kino Street and Kamehameha IV Road may be opened to accommodate rush-hour traffic.

The section of roadway was closed at 3 p.m. yesterday.

The main break was reported at about 2:25 p.m. in the area of 2251 North School St. and was affecting service to about 10 to 15 homes in the area at 7 p.m., according to Wright-Van Alsp.

Troubleshooters isolated the rupture and repair work started earlier in the evening.

Wright-Van Alsp said water wagons were at 2246 and 2307 North School St. to assist customers affected by the break.

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.