Honolulu Board of Water Supply crews were expected to complete repairs to a 12-inch main break near Ala Moana Center last night.

The break in the Ewa-bound lanes of Ala Moana Boulevard near Atkinson Drive was reported at 6:30 a.m. yesterday.

Nine feet of pipeline was being replaced in the 66-year-old cast-iron main, which was installed in 1934, the agency said.

The Board of Water Supply said no businesses were expected to be affected. However, the water in toilets at Macy's was sandy brown in color, but the toilets were operational. (Water from drinking fountains was clear.)

Tracy Burgo, Board of Water Supply spokeswoman, said often when a water main breaks, water pressure is lost and whatever is in the immediate area at the time of the break is sucked in. Another common cause of murky water is corrosion.

The two right Ewa-bound lanes on Ala Moana Boulevard were closed in the area of the main break, which did not cause traffic congestion during the peak afternoon hours.