Note: This story has been updated with additional information.
UPDATE: As of 8:30 p.m. Rt. 412 has reopened at I-78 in Bethlehem and Hellertown. PennDOT announced the reopening in a press release, in which the agency confirmed that the gas main break that led to the closure was caused by “a contractor working on the PA 412 widening project.” Along with the on- and off-ramps to the interstate, the road was closed between Cherry Lane and Shimersville Road for much of the day.
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A major gas leak has closed a busy section of Rt. 412 at I-78–including the exit and entrance ramps to the highway–along the Hellertown-Bethlehem border.
The closure is reportedly causing traffic nightmares, with westbound I-78 traffic backed up nearly to the Rt. 33 interchange, according to a reader post on Facebook.
According to a Channel 69 News story in which a UGI spokeswoman is quoted, a third-party contractor working in the area struck the high-pressure line.
Some businesses and homes in the area have been evacuated and emergency vehicles and UGI have responded to the scene, according to reader reports.
Readers have also reported that power was out in parts of the borough, however it is unknown if the outages are directly or indirectly related to the gas leak.
Motorists should avoid the area for the time being, as significant delays are being reported on Rt. 412 and I-78 East is “a parking lot,” according to an eyewitness.
Images broadcast by PennDOT’s live traffic cameras along I-78 at Rt. 33, Rt. 412 and Rt. 145 can be viewed here.
Stay tuned for additional updates on this developing story.
