Politics & Government

East Main Street/Route 64 Gas Leak 2nd This Month

Construction crew cracked a 6-inch, high-pressure natural gas main, prompting the closure and the evacuation of several businesses.

Monday afternoon's gas leak along the East Main Street/Route 64 reconstruction was the second caused by construction crews this month and the third since August.

City officials hoped to reopen East Main Street/Route 64 by midnight Monday after a construction crew struck a 6-inch, high-pressure natural gas main during midafternoon, forcing the thoroughfare’s closure between 9th and 13th avenues and prompting the evacuation of several businesses.

St. Charles Fire Department interim Fire Chief Joe Schelstreet said late Monday that the incident was reported at 2:28 p.m. Firefighters remained at the scene late into the evening, using monitoring equipment to take readings of natural gas levels to ensure the perimeter was wide enough while the leak remained.

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“The leak has not been secured as of this time, and Nicor is advising that this work will take approximately two more hours,” Schelstreet said in a release, which was issued shortly before 10 p.m.

The break occurred near 11th Avenue and East Main Street and involved a natural gas main running adjacent to East Main Street.

Find out what's happening in St. Charleswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Nicor was contacted and responded to the scene as emergency personnel secured a perimeter around the leak, Schelstreet said in the release, noting that several businesses were evacuated earlier as a precautionary measure.

Original Report:

A 6-inch gas line that was struck at 11th Avenue and East Main Street (Route 64) prompted emergency crews to close East Main between 9th Avenue and 13th Avenue until further notice.

Traffic is being diverted and some buildings are being evacuated. Emergency crews are onsite. No estimate for how long the road will be closed at this time.

Related:

  • April 5, 2013: St. Charles Gas Line Break on Route 64 Sealed
  • Aug. 14, 2012: Gas Main Break Closes Route 64 By Pheasant Run Tuesday

 

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