Times Square water main break shuts down NYC subway lines

A water main dating back to the 19th century broke in Times Square early Tuesday, halting trains on several subway lines and leaving commuters scrambling as crews worked to repair the mess.

The MTA suspended or rerouted service on the 1, 2 and 3 lines in Manhattan after the break. The 4 and 5 lines were also disrupted. Streets were shut down along Seventh Avenue between 39th St. and 42nd St.

NYC Transit President Richard Davey said during a news conference that the water main broke near Times Square around 3 a.m., but that the worst damage to the subway was farther south.

“Right now we are in particular experiencing issues at 23rd and 14th Street,” said Davey. “At 14th Street, the water is actually over the rail, which is obviously a dangerous condition.”

Photos shared by the MTA show water pouring into the ceilings of the Times Square station, causing debris to funnel onto the tracks.

The 20-inch water main — which was installed in 1896 — broke at Seventh Ave and W. 40th Street, DEP Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala said at the press conference. The cause of the break remained a mystery.

Disgruntled commuters on Tuesday morning couldn’t access the 1, 2 and 3 train platforms at Times Square, one of the city’s busiest subway stations.

“I feel like the trains have been messed up for a while, all summer there have been delays…so not surprised,” said Louisa Oreskes, 26, who takes the train to tutor kids on the Upper West Side.

Xander Garden, 23, said he was just trying to find a way to get to his first day of classes at Manhattan College.

“There’s just no way to get to class unless I want to spend $75 on an Uber and that’s just not what I want to do today,” he said. “I’m gonna have to email my professors.”