Oops! Gas main break shuts down Route 22 in Union

UNION TOWNSHIP (UNION) — A crew working on fiber-optic cables along one of the busiest sections of Route 22 cut a gas main, causing the highway to be closed and resulting in some building evacuations.

Township spokeswoman Natalie DaSilva said a crew working in front of the Clinton Manor Hotel banquet center on the westbound lanes broke a major gas line. The road was closed at Springfield Road with traffic detoured onto Milltown  Road and Springfield Avenue to get back onto Route 22.

Several neighboring buildings were evacuated by the fire department, according to DaSilva

All lanes were reopened just  before 1 p.m. with only the right lane closed for Elizabethtown Gas crews to continue making repairs.

"This is one of the most heavily traveled sections of Route 22 with traffic and shopping and the convergence of traffic from the Parkway. Fortunately, you have Route 78 or Morris Avenue to completely get around," New Jersey Traffic North's Bob Williams said, pointing out this is the section with the median that divides the highway.

Photos courtesy TAP into Union