Hiawatha Ave. reopened after gas leak
Hiawatha Avenue in south Minneapolis has reopened after a section between 38th and 31st Streets was closed due to a natural gas leak for much of rush hour.
Centerpoint Energy said workers found the problem in a gas main underneath 35th Street, just east of Hiawatha.
Minneapolis Fire Department Deputy Chief Don Leedham said the concentration of gas reached dangerous levels.
"There was a heavy enough concentration in the sewer lines, where we had to shut down Hiawatha, both north and south lanes, because it was in the explosive range," Leedham said.
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A spokesperson for Archer Daniels Midland said its facility on Hiawatha Avenue was evacuated. The fire department also evacuated three other commercial buildings.
Centerpoint spokesperson Becca Virden said employees at ADM Milling smelled the gas and reported it at around 4:30 p.m.
Two residences were evacuated, but others were told to stay in their homes. Virden said the evacuations and the closure of Hiawatha were precautionary.
"When we have a gas leak in the area, we don't want anyone doing anything to cause a spark, of course one of those things could be your car," Virden said.
An official with Metro Transit said nearby light rail lines were not affected.