Major Gas Leak Causes Traffic Disruptions, Odor In Ballston Area

ARLINGTON, VA — A natural gas leak in the Ballston area of Arlington was brought under control early Wednesday evening after causing road closures for most of the afternoon.

Shortly before 6 p.m., the Arlington County Fire Department said it was in the process of clearing the scene in the 4600 block of Fairfax Drive, although crews from Washington Gas were going to remain at the site of the gas line rupture.

A construction crew may have accidentally ruptured a large, 6-inch gas line in front of the Holiday Inn hotel on Fairfax Drive, ARLnow reported. By 2:15 p.m., Washington Gas crews had arrived to shut down the gas line.

The fire department requested that Arlington police and Virginia State Police shut down all of Fairfax Drive between N. Glebe Road and Interstate 66, including the ramps on and off the interstate.

Shortly after 3 p.m., the fire department said the gas leak was still active, but air readings in surrounding buildings were normal.

"This will be an extended operation with impacts for an unknown duration. No evacuations required currently," the fire department said at the time.

By 6 p.m., officials started to reopen traffic lanes in the area. The natural gas odor was also starting to dissipate by early evening, the fire department said.