Gas leak shuts westbound Route 40 in Balto. Co.

Utilities crew repairing sewer drain in Rossville struck gas line

A Baltimore County utility crew repairing a sewer drain in Rossville struck a natural gas line Monday morning, which led emergency responders to seal off the area and close the westbound lane of Route 40, according to a Baltimore County police and fire spokeswoman.

About 10 a.m., a crew with the Baltimore County Bureau of Utilities was repairing an 8-inch-wide sewer drain under Route 40, also known as Pulaski Highway, near the intersection of Rossville Boulevard when they struck the 2-inch-wide gas line, said Elise Armacost, the spokeswoman.

Crews with the county fire department and Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. responded to the scene and sealed off the area, Armacost said.

Evacuations of nearby buildings were determined to be unnecessary after an air quality assessment, Armacost said.

The westbound lane of Route 40 was closed, and BGE crews estimated repairs would last several hours, possibly through the evening rush hour, Armacost said.

There were no injuries.

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