(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A gas leak in northwest Indiana has caused an hourslong shutdown for people driving between Chicago and southwest Michigan, Indiana State Police said Tuesday.
Authorities said the hazardous materials situation forced them to close a stretch of Interstate 94. The closure was first reported around 12:40 p.m. The impacted area is near the Ameriplex Complex located north of I-94.
Indiana State Police Sgt. Glen Fifield spoke to WBBM Newsradio about what caused the leak.
“There was a contractor that was doing some boring work in the area, so they were working underground when they struck this gas line, causing this major problem in the gas leak that we’ve been dealing with all day,” he said.
Fifield said the window to reopen was roughly three hours, but he added that it was dependent on whether the air quality and roadways were safe.
“When I spoke to the fire chief, he said that they’re currently monitoring the air quality,” Fifield said. “That is a concern, especially with wind direction and stuff like that. That’s why they’ve evacuated the areas that they have. Obviously, fire is a concern, as well. Every precaution is being taken by the Portage Fire Department to make it as safe as possible.”
Fifield strongly advised travelers to avoid the area.
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