Washington Gas Crews Wait to Fix Broken Main

The ruptured main closed I-270 in both directions yesterday.

The gas leak that closed Interstate 270 and Clarksburg Road in Clarksburg, Md., during the Monday evening rush hour is no longer a danger to the public, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue.

The department has turned the scene over to Washington Gas for repairs.

Yesterday a construction crew hit the 8-inch main on Route 121, causing a leak. Officials closed down both directions of I-270 for several miles in upper Montgomery County in order to protect the public.

Today, Washington Gas crews have been digging back to the gas main after last night's rain caused the 25-foot hole to fill with mud. Once they get to the main, crews will determine whether it needs to be replaced or can be sealed.

Washington Gas crews are standing by, but a spokesman Eric Grant says they have not begun actual work on the ruptured gas main on Route 121 in Clarksburg.

A high volume of gas poured out of the leak on Monday, sparking concern for many homes located within hundreds of yards of the roadway.  The pressure of the gas was strong enough to throw puffs of dirt out of the hole.

No residential customers lost service, but three non-residential customers did.

Washington Gas officials said it is unclear whether the gas main was mislabeled or not labeled at all.  What is clear is that construction crews did not expect the gas line to be where it was when it was punctured on Monday.

I-270 reopened at about 10 p.m. Monday and all roads in the area are now open.

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