Ruptured Gas Line, Evacuations In Novi
NOVI (WWJ) - A busy section of Novi was evacuated, Tuesday afternoon, as utility crews worked to cap a ruptured gas line. A spokesperson for Consumers Energy told WWJ Newsradio 950 that a construction crew hit the line near Novi Road and Main Street.
About six businesses were evacuated. The intersection is closed.
According to officials, it could take all afternoon to make the necessary repairs to the line which is located in a major road construction area not far from I-96.
Reporting from the scene, WWJ's Marie Osborne said crews will have to break the roadway in order to pinch off the gas line. She spoke with Consumers Energy's Debra Dodd at the scene.
"We're gonna squeeze that plastic gas main off. It is a one-way feed, which means once we squeeze it off, all the gas flow will stop. That's the good news. The bad news is, then we're gonna have some interruption of customers until we can make full repairs," Dodd said.
Dodd said about 165 customers will lose gas service during that time. A majority of those are residential customers an a nearby apartment complex.
Police said no one was injured. They were asking motorists to avoid the area.
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