Gas Leak on Research Drive

By Ben Bolton and Avery Smith

ATHENS, Ga.–A gas leak on Research Drive blocked traffic on Thursday for several hours.

At approximately 11:15 a.m., a construction crew accidentally hit an under-ground gas pipeline causing a leak. The crew was installing a fiber optic line under a driveway when the plastic gas line was punctured.

Police arrived at the scene prohibiting any vehicle or foot traffic from coming near the accident. However, there was no evacuation of the surrounding businesses or residences.

Two hours later, the Athens-Clarke County Fire Department and Georgia Natural Gas repaired the leak. The road block was moved back allowing people to return back to work at the businesses near the scene. The immediate area remained barricaded off at Public Works cleared the roadway for traffic.

At 3:32 p.m., Research Drive was re-opened.