A burst natural gas line in a construction area in Guilderland closed the Thruway today from exits 23 to 24 and prompted some evacuations near the site, state police and Guilderland police said.
No injuries were reported as a result of the 11 a.m. incident and there were no open flames, police said.
“From what we’re getting in here it was more of a pressure burst, no flames in the air, nothing like that,” state police Sgt. David Malone said.
Also closed was an area of Schoolhouse Road near the site, Guilderland police said. Nearby homes were also evacuated.
The incident happened in a construction area just off the Thruway. Malone said. Officials don’t yet know whether construction vehicles hit it or something else caused it.
National Grid workers were on the scene and Guilderland and Albany police were assisting, Malone said.
Malone was unsure how long the Thruway would be closed and said “my fingers are crossed” when asked if it might be open by rush hour.
Thruway traffic cameras showed a long backup of cars stretching as far as could be seen, coming toward near Exit 23 just after 12:15 p.m., with few cars going south, a way from the exit. A traffic camera posted near the Exit 24 interchange showed no cars.
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