Downtown Baltimore gas leak mitigated after causing traffic disruptions
BALTIMORE -- BGE crews have mitigated a gas leak that happened Wednesday afternoon in downtown Baltimore, forcing road closures along a portion of Light Street.
Crews have made the area safe and have reopened all four lanes.
The repair work, which could impact the morning commute, has caused major headaches for drivers in the area.
BGE officials say they expect to continue repairs on the gas leak Thursday morning, which may result in one lane closure during the day.
People in the area described this gas leak as "chaotic."
"Emergency trucks, police, they blocked it off," said Gregory Payne. "You get very wary about things like that like is it going to explode?"
Officials said BGE crews were performing routine gas work Wednesday along Light Street when they discovered the leak.
"What they're simply trying to do is lower the high gas pressure to a low temperature or low degree where they can begin the repairs," Baltimore City Fire spokesperson Kevin Cartwright said.
As crews worked to mitigate the leak, traffic along Light Street came to a screeching halt.
"When they first closed this off, traffic was going over here and cars were literally colliding next to each other because there was so much going on," said Jocelyn Horsey.
Horsey was one of many drivers forced to find another way home.
"There's no way to get around," she said. "Like, I have to go all the way around. These are all one way, so that's a challenge trying to get around."
No one was injured, but a nearby Dunkin' was temporarily shut down out of precaution as BGE crews worked to get the leak under control.
"They're working aggressively to get this resolved as soon as possible," Cartwright said.
The work continued Wednesday evening and is expected to resume Thursday morning.
Horsey says she hopes by morning it's a different sight.
"I hope they get this under control because I'm pretty sure this is an inconvenience for people," she said.
In a statement to WJZ, BGE assured, "This leak is not a result of a gas equipment strike by either the contractor or BGE crews. BGE has not detected gas readings inside or on the exteriors of buildings in the vicinity."
BGE said they are working with its Baltimore City partners to make sure the gas work will not impact Sunday's Maryland Cycling Classic that rides through downtown Baltimore.
BGE said crews will return to the site of the gas leak early next week to resume and finalize repairs.
