W. Toledo roads reopening after natural-gas line ruptured

5/17/2013

BLADE STAFF

Columbia Gas crews work on fixing gas leak on Upton Rd. under I-475 in Toledo.

Several West Toledo roadways in the Upton and Central avenues area are being reopened after being shut down because of safety concerns following a damaged gas line.

Shortly after 2 p.m., construction crews struck a 16-inch gas line, causing emergency crews to shut down roadways, turn off traffic lights, and survey the area for any potential gas issues.

Northbound and southbound I-75 ramps to westbound I-475, I-475 eastbound at Secor Road, and ramps at Douglas Road and ProMedica Parkway were closed for more than two hours.

Lt. Matthew Hertzfeld, a spokesman with the Toledo fire department, said everyone is accounted for after the accident and no injuries have been reported.

Scene of where construction crew ruptured a natural gas line, on Upton Rd. under I-475.

Emergency crews remain on scene conducting air readings. Five homes in the block north of Central and Upton was evacuated. Once the gas was shut off, officials anticipated that six homes would be affected.

The repairs are expected to be completed sometime Saturday.

The incident was first reported as a gas leak at about 2:10 p.m.

“It’s not a gas leak,” Chris Kozak, spokesman for Columbia Gas of Ohio, said. “It’s a struck gas line.”

Mr Kozak said several work crews were already on the site and more were being sent to the scene.