Residents and local businesses along a section of Western Boulevard in Raleigh were evacuated on Friday afternoon due to a gas leak, leading to the closure of the road and traffic disruptions. The evacuation affected homes and at least one business, and police warned of significant traffic issues, especially for drivers leaving Interstate 440. According to a statement from CBS 17, Western Boulevard would be closed between Kent Road and Powell Drive because of the leak.
Police officials reported that the leak was caused by damage to a four-inch gas line. While redirecting traffic from Interstate 440, police advised drivers to find alternate routes due to the significant disruption caused by the incident and the emergency response. Officials did not provide an estimated time for restoration, according to ABC11.
Energized efforts to resolve the situation were underway by Dominion Energy crews close to Blue Ridge Road, with representatives conveying that despite the evacuation of some residents and business personnel, there have thankfully been no reported injuries resulting from the gas leak. Information from WRAL.com described how the leak was severely challenging for drivers attempting to leave I-440 due to the unforeseen detours.
The situation is ongoing, and authorities have not yet allowed residents and businesses to return. Public safety remains the priority as Dominion Energy works to fix the leak and restore normalcy. Meanwhile, drivers in Raleigh are advised to plan their routes to avoid delays near the affected section of Western Boulevard.
