Three lanes of U.S. 421 to reopen after gas leak in New Hanover County

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Three of five lanes of U.S. 421 are expected to reopen Wednesday afternoon after crews located damage to a gas line that caused a highway closure earlier in the day.

Piedmont Natural Gas crews remain at the scene and have reduced the flow of gas to very low levels, according to the company.

The center lane and the two lanes farthest from the leak are expected to reopen within the next hour. Traffic control crews are heading to the scene to install barriers and direct traffic.

The two lanes closest to the damaged gas line will remain closed while crews make repairs. Those lanes are expected to remain closed until sometime Thursday.

The gas leak was reported earlier Wednesday in the 5000 block of U.S. 421 North in New Hanover County.

New Hanover County Fire Rescue was working with Piedmont Natural Gas and the North Carolina Department of Transportation at the scene.

The initial closure affected U.S. 421 in both directions and limited access to the New Hanover County landfill and nearby businesses.

Drivers should use caution in the area and follow posted traffic controls while repairs continue.

Officials have not provided an exact time for the remaining two lanes to reopen.