Gas line break affects downtown Norfolk

NORFOLK

A natural gas line leak that disrupted downtown traffic for two hours has been shut off, and St. Pauls Boulevard was to be reopened in time for rush hour, said Battalion Chief Harry Worley, a Norfolk Fire-Rescue spokesman.

A backhoe working on the light-rail line cut a 6-inch steel main line line in City Hall Plaza about 2:20 p.m., forcing the closures and detours, said Worley and Tami Gerke, a Virginia Natural Gas spokeswoman. No injuries were reported, they said.

Workers shut off the the rupture at 4:10 p.m., and repairs were being made, Gerke said.