Brunswick County gas leak forces U.S. 17 closure; northbound lanes reopen as repairs continue

WINNABOW, NC (WWAY) — A gas leak in Brunswick County shut down both directions of U.S. Highway 17 near Winnabow for several hours Friday, causing major traffic delays as crews worked to repair the damaged line.

According to Brunswick County Sheriff Brian Chism, the leak occurred on Green Hill Road near the Winnabow Fire Station.

A spokesperson for Piedmont Natural Gas said crews are still working to determine what caused the leak.

As of Friday evening, repair work remains underway. Officials hope to reopen southbound U.S. 17 soon, but one southbound lane is expected to remain closed through the evening while crews complete repairs.

All northbound lanes of U.S. 17 have reopened to traffic.

The closure began earlier Friday after the gas leak prompted officials to shut down both northbound and southbound lanes of the highway. The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office implemented detours and urged motorists to avoid the area while emergency crews responded.

Drivers traveling through the area should continue to expect delays, use caution around work crews, and follow directions from law enforcement and traffic control personnel until repairs are complete.

Officials have not released a timeline for when all southbound lanes will fully reopen. The cause of the gas leak remains under investigation.