Gas leak in downtown Baltimore mitigated, Light Street lanes reopened as work continues

A portion of Light Street in downtown Baltimore reopened to traffic Wednesday evening after a block was closed for a gas leak, according to a spokesperson for Baltimore Gas & Electric Co.

BGE crews mitigated the gas leak at the intersection of Light and Mercer streets by about 7 p.m., and two lanes on the strip of Light Street between East Lombard and East Redwood streets were reopened by 9 p.m., said Talon Sachs, a spokesperson for the utility company. The remaining lanes were expected to reopen later Wednesday night, though more work on the gas line will close one lane on Thursday morning, Sachs said.

A BGE contractor was excavating Wednesday afternoon in order to prepare for underground gas work near Light and Redwood Streets, and discovered a gas leak, Sachs said earlier Wednesday,noting the workers did not strike the gas main.

Service to the surrounding buildings was not interrupted, and the utility did not detect any gas at any nearby structures, Sachs said. There were no injuries associated with the gas leak.

Kevin Cartwright, a spokesperson for the Baltimore City Fire Department, said that the Dunkin’ location next to the underground gas work opted to close Wednesday after the leak, which occurred around noon, because of safety concern for workers.

BGE may continue to make repairs on Light Street after Thursday, but will not actively work over the weekend, Sachs said. The utility is working with the city to avoid impacting the Maryland Cycling Classic, which will travel through downtown Baltimore on Sunday, they said.