UPDATE: Ameren Crew Completes Repair On Gas Line Leak On North Edge Of Champaign

A gas leak on the north edge of Champaign led to the evacuation of buildings on Interstate Drive between Mattis and Prospect Tuesday morning, and a request for motorists to avoid the area.

The Champaign Fire Department says a break in a 6-inch gas along Interstate Drive near Farrber Drive led to the evacuation. The Dodds Tennis Center and EP Computer are both located at that corner.

The leak forced the closing of Interstate Drive from Boardwalk Drive to Newmark Drive. including the research park in that area. The area also includes Presence Home Care and the Illinois Bariatric Center.

Champaign Fire Deptartment Lt. Tyler Funk said an Ameren crew went to the scene to repair the gas line. The Fire Department reported around 11:20 AM that repairs were complete, but that the street would remain closed while the crew monitored the site for possible leaks. 

He said motorists should avoid the area for the remainder of Tuesday morning, but that Mattis and Prospect Avenues remained open to traffic in the area.

The News-Gazette reported that the break in the gas line was caused by a construction crew working near a pond at Interstate and Farber.  

(This report was updated at 11:56 AM).

UPDATE:  1:50 p.m.

Champaign Deputy Fire Marshall Randy Smith says the gas leak was stopped just past 11 a.m, and the air was briefly monitored to make sure regular business can resume. The roughly 250 employees from the Interstate Research Park were allowed to return to their offices about half an hour later.  The streets were opened to traffic about 11:40.