Traffic on U.S. Highway 421 is blocked in both directions between Horton Iron & Metal and Eagle Island Seafood as crews work to bypass a ruptured two-inch natural gas transmission line.
The break occurred Tuesday evening as a contractor for Cape Fear Public Utility Authority performed work that is part of a project to extend water and wastewater services in the U.S. 421 corridor in the far northwest portion of New Hanover County near the Pender County line.
There are no reports of fire or any injuries resulting from the incident. In addition to CFPUA and law enforcement, crews from the New Hanover County Fire Department, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, and Piedmont Natural Gas are on the scene.
Detours are being established near the Isabel Holmes Bridge to the north and through the Flemington area to the south for those traveling on U.S. 421.
Updates will be provided as they become available.