Gas leak closes down Jake Alexander Boulevard

Published 1:16 pm Thursday, January 26, 2023

SALISBURY — Jake Alexander Boulevard was shut down after a gas leak was reported around 11 a.m. on Thursday.

The leak occurred near the intersection of Industrial Avenue and Jake Alexander Boulevard but required the closure of the thoroughfare from Brenner Avenue to Statesville Boulevard.

Zach Vavricka, a spokesperson from Piedmont Natural Gas, confirmed that a 4-inch main line was broken by a third-party contractor digging in the vicinity.

Vavricka said the contractor was not affiliated with Piedmont Natural Gas. According to Vavricka, the incident didn’t require an evacuation and no injuries were reported. Additionally, no customers lost gas service. The line was shut off around noon while the crews worked on repairs. The outside lanes were reopened to traffic first as work continued.