Ongoing construction to connect Patterson Canal four blocks was abruptly stopped late Thursday afternoon when construction workers hit a hydrant at Patterson and Third.

A lane and a half was closed to respond to the break. 

“They were excavating around a fire hydrant, and the hydrant flew off,” said David Shade, water, utility and field operation administrator for the City of Dayton's water department.

The project to connect Patterson Canal four blocks, which is a funded by a $2 million state grant, is expected to be on schedule with no delays.

Arby’s two blocks south of the break sent its employers home because of a lack of water. The same occurred for Hauer Music Company. Those were the only two companies that were affected, Shade said.

 To expedite the process to rectify the break, construction crew members uploaded a larger pump to clear the water. A representative from Belgray Inc., the company contracted to construct the new walkway, said that the process is 30-40 percent complete.

Repairs are expected to be finished a little after midnight, Shade said.

No one was hurt or injured and Patterson was never completely shut down.