— A water main break has forced authorities to close three southbound lanes of Capital Boulevard just north of Interstate 440 near the Brentwood Road intersection, and the road may not reopen until Thursday night.

It's unclear what caused the pipe failure, but water was spilling into the roadway shortly after noon Wednesday. A repair crew began working on a fix Wednesday afternoon, and Raleigh police said it could reopen by about 10 p.m. Thursday.

A similar situation occurred on Six Forks Road in Raleigh on Sunday night. Travel lanes were blocked when a 12 inch underground water main ruptured.

Officials said the water line under Six Forks Road is around 55 years old, but city officials say it's still within the projected lifespan – which can last as long as 100 years. The broken line under Capital Boulevard is around 65 years old, officials said.

Soil conditions, construction to the pipe, surges in water pressure are several variables underground, but city officials have yet to determine what caused the ruptures.

The Capital Boulevard water main break is not believed to be age-related, according to Ed Buchan with Public Works.

Officials said they work about 300 water main breaks a year.

Drivers should expect heavy delays during the Thursday morning commute.