Drivers heading into downtown Boston on Tuesday morning got an unwelcome surprise when a gas leak shut down North Grove Street at Cambridge Street, clogging traffic right outside the main entrance and emergency room at Massachusetts General Hospital. The closure quickly turned a busy commute into a bottleneck as police diverted cars away from the block.
Police Shut Down Street, Warn Drivers
Boston police said in a social media post around 9:30 a.m. that North Grove Street at Cambridge Street had been closed because of a gas leak and cautioned that the shutdown would affect access to Mass General’s main entrance and emergency room, according to NBC Boston. Officers urged motorists to find alternate routes while first responders and utility crews worked to secure the area.
Hospital Access Takes a Hit
The timing and location of the leak could hardly have been more disruptive. Massachusetts General Hospital notes that its main entrance and emergency department are accessed from Cambridge Street and North Grove Street, which helps explain why closing that short stretch of road can create headaches for patients, visitors and ambulances, according to its directions page. The hospital lists 55 Fruit Street as the main campus address and identifies the Charles Street/MGH Red Line stop as the closest MBTA station, Massachusetts General Hospital.
Another Hit to Boston’s Underground
Tuesday’s downtown gas leak is only the latest winter incident to tangle traffic and trigger safety concerns tied to underground infrastructure. On Feb. 3, multiple manhole explosions in Back Bay forced building evacuations and created fresh traffic disruptions, highlighting strains on aging utilities beneath some of the city’s busiest streets, according to The Boston Globe.
As of the initial report, officials had not released further details about what caused the gas leak or how long the area would remain closed. Hoodline will update this story as authorities and utility crews provide more information.
