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Gas leak isolated the shut down portion of RT. 61 in Schuylkill County (updated) – Pottsville Republican Herald

The gas leak heard along Route 61 near the Coal Creek Commerce Center has been resolved.

By 3 p.m., the gas leak was isolated, said Rich Stahovich, senior manager of business development at UGI. At 3:35 p.m., he classified the leak from an 8-inch steel pipe as “major.” Engineers will determine the amount of gas leaked.

The northbound lanes of Route 61 in the affected area may be expected to open at 4 p.m., while the southbound lanes are expected to follow suit.

A loud hissing of gas was heard along Route 61 near the Coal Creek Commerce Center on Wednesday.

The Saint Clair Fire Department was notified at 7:50 a.m. about the leak, which is located in the southbound lanes of Route 61, within sight of the former Mount Carbon Bridge, which is near Mill Creek near the Coal Creek Commerce Center was relocated, said Saint Clair Fire Chief Frank Uhrin said.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said in a news release that a contractor working on a Frackville Grade Improvement Project, the largest project ever in the county, struck a gas line.

“We are hoping for a quick resolution,” John Blickley, director of the Schuylkill County Office of Emergency Management, said at the scene at 12:30 p.m

UGI is providing updates on the status of resolving the leak, he said.

He confirmed that a road contractor had plied the stretch between Terry Reiley Boulevard and Darkwater Road, although exact details about the size of the stretch and the amount of gas released were not immediately available.

Route 61 traffic will be rerouted to Interstate 81, Route 901 and Route 209.

“We want to try to keep the impact on our customers as low as possible,” he said of the 17 companies affected so far.

Several Coal Creek Commerce Center stores were closed in the immediate vicinity of the leak.

Walmart, Home Depot and Tractor Supply were open. A sign on the door of Taco Bell stated that fried foods could not be served due to the gas leak.

School districts were notified of the road closure by SCEMA and the emergency dispatch center.

The five-year, $115 million project includes complete road construction, wider shoulders and other necessary work. Traffic signals and turn lanes will also be added at the intersection with Dark Water Road in New Castle Twp.

“Of course we all know this construction. Be aware of the issues that may arise in this area and be prepared to take an alternative path,” Blickley said.

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Emergency crews block Route 61 at Terry Rich Blvd. as crews work to repair a gas line rupture along Route 61 between Saint Clair and Frackville on Wednesday, October 23, 2024… DAVID MCKEOWN / MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

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Motorists are warned to expect delays and to exercise caution when driving through the area. Once all repairs are completed, Route 61 will reopen.

Drivers can check conditions on major roads at www.511PA.com. Free and available 24/7, 511PA provides traffic delay alerts, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

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