Beaumont Centre Circle reopens after ruptured gas line

A natural gas leak closed a major shopping and business area of Lexington’s west side for several hours Tuesday.

Access to Beaumont Centre Circle from Harrodsburg Road was completely blocked for several hours due to the gas leak after it was reported at around 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Lexington Traffic Management Center.

It was one of four reported leaks Tuesday.

A portion of Midnight Pass remained closed as of 4 p.m., but traffic was moving smoothly around Beaumont Centre Circle, and access between the circle and Harrodsburg Road had reopened, said Lisa Smith, director of communications for Columbia Gas.

She said motorists would be prohibited from turning right onto Midnight Pass from Beaumont Centre Circle while repairs were made.

The gas leak occurred when a 6-inch medium pressure gas line was struck by a construction crew, Smith said. Some businesses in the area were temporarily without natural gas service because of the leak.

While the leak was surveyed, Beaumont Centre Circle was closed between Lakecrest Circle and the Carol Martin Gatton Beaumont YMCA in the portion of the center near to Harrodsburg Road, the traffic management center said. Drivers were able to exit the area by accessing Beaumont Centre Lane at the back of the shopping center. Beaumont Centre Lane eventually intersects with Man o’ War Boulevard.

In 2014 at Beaumont Centre, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott was condemned after it was partially destroyed from a gas explosion. The explosion occurred when a vehicle struck a gas meter.

There were also reports of gas leaks on Cardinal Lane, Loudon Avenue and Newcastle Street Tuesday afternoon in Lexington. Lexington Fire Maj. Jordan Saas said it’s not uncommon to have four gas leaks in one day in the city.

He said the leak on Newcastle Street also was caused by a contractor, while fire officials did not know the cause of the leak on Loudon.

The call on Cardinal Lane turned out to involve a sewage line, Saas said.

“There are different reasons why they happen: construction, degradation due to age or wear and tear, damage from a vehicle accident, over pressurization,” Saas said. “If you see, smell or hear natural gas, stop what you’re doing. Don’t light matches or anything that can cause a spark, leave the area immediately and from a safe area call 911.”

Homeowners are urged to call 811 a few days prior to digging to determine if it’s safe to do so.

Under the Kentucky Underground Facilities Protection Act, gas lines and other underground utilities must be located and marked before any excavation can be done.

Since last year, the Kentucky Public Service Commission has been responsible for investigating damage to natural gas lines and assessing penalties when appropriate.

Those who fail to follow the law and damage a gas line can be fined up to $1,250 for a first offense.

This story was originally published May 7, 2019 at 1:19 PM.