I-35 reopens following gas line break in Clay County
JULY 6, 2015
By Chris Oberholtz, Multimedia Producer
By Heather Staggers, Reporter
Northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 35 were closed at Missouri Highway 152 in the Northland after a gas main break.
The break happened about 9 a.m. Monday in a construction zone at I-35 and Highway 69 Highway in Pleasant Valley.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says all lanes of Interstate 35
closed Monday morning between Interstate 435 and Missouri Highway 152
because of a problem with a gas line on near the Pleasant Valley exit.
There have been reports of people in the area that can hear the
gas spewing and getting headaches from the smell. (Heather
Staggers/KCTV5 News)
PLEASANT VALLEY, MO (KCTV) -
Police have reopened Interstate 35 in the Northland after a gas line break Monday near road construction.
The
break happened about 8:45 a.m. Monday at I-35 and Highway 69 in
Pleasant Valley. Lane closures were between Interstate 435 and MO
Highway 152.
Emergency response teams said while it may have been a
traffic headache, they had to stop all traffic on I-35 for drivers'
safety. The interstate reopened about 1:15 p.m.
Missouri Gas
Energy said an outside contractor struck a 12-inch gas pipeline, and
the line has an 18-inch tear. The gas agency was able to shut off the
gas to the busted pipe so they can start their repairs.
"It was a
substantial leak. So that was why we have shut I-35 down, both north and
south, to eliminate any ignition sources," said Jeff Gardner, Missouri
Department of Transportation's incident management coordinator.
Officials
were concerned with drivers flicking a cigarette or any spark
and said the interstate may not be reopened until 1:30 p.m. at the
earliest.
No injuries were reported.
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