Broken water line creates layer of ice on NC 51, Pineville police say

A water line leak early Sunday forced Pineville police to close the intersection of NC 51 and Downs Road just south of Charlotte.

Motorists are being warned the leak resulted in “a thin layer of ice forming on roadways” in the area.

“Charlotte Water crews, in coordination with Town of Pineville crews, responded promptly and are currently on scene conducting emergency repairs,” Pineville police said in a Sunday Facebook post.

“Highway 51 is closed in both directions from Downs Road to the South Carolina state line. There is no estimated time for reopening at this time. ... Travel is strongly discouraged unless necessary.”

The cause of the leak was not revealed, but it occurred in the midst of an ice storm, when temperatures were around 18 degrees, the National Weather Service reports.

This story was originally published January 25, 2026 at 9:18 AM.