Natural Gas Leak on Indian Valley Road Closes Traffic in Both Directions

Construction crews doing a street-widening project along Indian Valley Road between Hill Road and Avichi Knoll Drive, accidentally pulled a one-inch feeder line from the main gas pipe, creating a small natural gas leak in the area, according to Jeff Veliquette, battalion chief for Novato Fire Department, Station 1.

According to Veliquette, the feeder line was pulled when the road crew removed a drain culvert. The gas line only fed one residence in the area.

Only six homes were in the vicinity of the break. Those few residents that were home were advised to stay indoors and the fire department monitored the air quality to make sure that no excess gas built up, said Veliquette. 

However, he said that because the gas line was small and because of the slightly breezy weather, hazardous gas did not build up.

Due to the age of the main pipe, PG&E had a difficult time locating it and had to dig it out by hand, said Veliquette.

The pipe was shut off by 5:25 p.m. and crews will continue to work on it to reattach the feeder line to the main. "PG&E will be there for a number of hours to dig to the gas main," said Veliquette.

In the meantime, the street has been closed in both directions where the break occurred, while crews work on the repair.