Uptown Charlotte roads back open following hours-long work to repair natural gas leak

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By Joe Bruno

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — For the second time in a month, a severed natural gas line brought business and traffic to a halt in uptown Charlotte.

After it took crews hours to repair, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police reopened Trade Street from Church Street to College Street.

The gas leak happened in front of the Omni Hotel around 1:40 p.m. Thursday.

Crews working outside the Omni struck a 6-inch high-pressure gas pipe that took about 30 minutes to shut off.

[ [Hazmat crews respond to large gas leak in heart of uptown] ]

The gas leak was so powerful people could smell it from several blocks away and early this afternoon, there were already thoughts of a potential traffic nightmare.

Shortly after the gas leak, CATS said customers should expect delays to inbound and outbound bus routes due to the gas leak.

Some businesses were forced to adjust because of the leak.

Halal Food Truck had to close because it was not safe to stay open. A worker for the popular food stand estimates they missed out on more than a hundred orders because of the leak.

[GALLERY: Hazmat units respond to major gas leak in uptown Charlotte]

Almost one month ago, crews sliced a 4-inch natural gas main at Trade and College Streets, just around the corner from Thursday's leak.

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