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Maryland residents who usually drive down Connecticut Avenue to get to their jobs in D.C. are facing nightmarish commutes today after a massive water main break last night in Chevy Chase, Md. The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission reported about 8 p.m. last night that a 54-inch water main ruptured underneath the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and Chevy Chase Lake Drive, creating a geyser that shot 30 feet into the air.

The repair work, which is still underway, has resulted in the northbound lanes of Connecticut Avenue being closed between Manor Road and Dunlap Street and cutting off the route between the District and the Capital Beltway. Southbound lanes re-opened about 7 a.m. There is no estimate of when crews, which include workers from WSSC, Pepco, and Washington Gas, expect to finish and re-open the road.

Meanwhile, the water main break prompted WSSC to issue mandatory water restrictions for all customers in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. Until the break is fully repaired, residents of those counties are being advised to run their sinks only when absolutely necessary, put off running their washing machines, and not flushing the toilet after every visit to the bathroom. The restrictions are in effect until the repairs are completed, and residents or businesses found to be in violation of the orders can be charged as much as $500.