Drivers beware: The Water and Sewerage Department (AyA, its initials in Spanish) just started replacing potable water pipes in downtown San José. That means ripped up roads, and probably a bit of mayhem as traffic gets rerouted on the narrow and traffic-choked streets. It also will mean better quality water and an improved drinking water system.

The city-wide infrastructure project is fairly mammoth, but for now, this first closure will only involve First Avenue. Starting today, the thoroughfare will be closed for the pipe work for the next possibly six weeks, said AyA officials.

First Avenue runs E-W along the northern side of the old post office and the National Bank. Four blocks of the avenue will be closed for the repairs, specifically the stretch between Streets 0 – 4.

Transit officials and signs will be posted to aid in people finding detours around the worksite.

The AyA said that following this project, at least four other points will undergo major road surgery to replace other old pipes. These will be done one at a time so as to produce the least possible interruption to downtown traffic, said the agency.