WINNABOW, N.C. (WECT) - All lanes of U.S. 17 in Brunswick County have reopened after a gas leak shut down the highway Friday, according to a Piedmont Natural Gas spokesperson.
Lanes began reopening at 4:14 p.m. after crews installed a bypass. A portion of southbound traffic remained limited to one lane for a period of time as additional repairs were made.
The leak was located at 15 Green Hill Road, adjacent to the southbound side of U.S. 17, near the Winnabow Fire Station, according to Brunswick County Sheriff Brian Chism.
All lanes of U.S. 17 were closed in the affected area earlier Friday. Northbound U.S. 17 was closed at the NC 87/U.S. 17 intersection. Southbound U.S. 17 was closed at Maco Road.
Traffic was diverted through Town Creek and Funston Road. Deputies, Highway Patrol and first responders staffed key intersections to direct drivers.
The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office provided the following detour routes during the closure:
Piedmont Natural Gas crews located the source of the leak and installed a bypass to keep gas flowing while additional repairs continue. No cause was identified, and there were no obvious signs of what caused the leak, according to a Piedmont Natural Gas spokesperson.
The spokesperson said once the bypass was installed, U.S. 17 was able to reopen. Full repairs are expected to continue until this evening at the earliest.
Sheriff Chism said the proximity of the leak to the highway made it unsafe to keep traffic moving through the area.
“I did make it down there, and the gas leak is right next to 17 on the southbound side, so it’s not safe to have traffic going in and out of there,” Chism told WECT crews at the scene. “Plus, they have to get heavy equipment in there to dig and fix, so with the gas being right there by 17, it’s just too dangerous.”
At least 30 Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office deputies directed traffic during the closure, with agencies rotating personnel in and out of the area approximately every hour and a half due to heat conditions. As of 1 p.m., no injuries related to the gas leak had been reported. Officials said the primary concern for responders was heat exposure.
“Right now for us, law enforcement, the big thing is making sure that the people who are there to fix it can do their job as fast as they can,” Chism said. “We’ve got traffic control points, we’re trying to divert traffic the best we can to get people where they need to go and give people the information.”
Sheriff Chism urged drivers to avoid the area if possible and to use GPS navigation apps, which he said are being updated with current closures.
“If you can, stay home or go around the areas you know are affected,” Chism said. “Use your GPS if you’re not used to using it; use your phone so it can get you around the area.”
The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office said it will post updates on social media as conditions change, including any detour adjustments.
“Please be patient with us,” Chism said. “It’s hot, I know you guys are frustrated. We don’t want to be out here either, but we’re doing it for you and for the safety of the motoring public.”
WECT crews are at the scene.