This is a mess. Even The Guthrie had to cancel performances tonight. Bummer.

According to the city, private contractors working on development project at Hennepin Avenue and 2nd Street North hit and ruptured a 36-inch water main that delivers water to a large portion of the city.

Several streets including Hennepin Avenue from Washington Avenue to the river are currently closed.

Police are on the scene for traffic control, and Mayor Rybak is urging drivers to avoid the area.

Water service has been affected near the Mississippi River, and as far south as Lake of the Isles.

A manager for a building located on North Fourth Street in the North Loop emailed residents stating, central downtown, the Warehouse District and Loring Green are affected with no water, or very low water pressure.

Another building manager tells KSTP his buildings on Lake and Fremont, and Lake and Lyndale are affected.

The water outage is also impacting U.S. Bank Plaza at 6th Street and 2nd Avenue South, according to an employee at the building.

The city says most businesses and residents who are experiencing a disruption in service are expected to have water service restored Thursday evening.

Officials say it will take longer to restore water service in the immediate area surrounding the water break. This includes a four block area along 2nd Street from 3rd Avenue North to Marquette Avenue South.

Ryan Companies says its subcontractor, United Sewer and Water, was doing work in the area when the line ruptured. No one was injured in the incident, and the site was evacuated.

Ryan Companies is working with the city to shut off the line, so repairs can be made.

At this point, additional details have not been released.

SOURCE: KSTP.com, MYFox9.com