Portland, Ore. witnessed a significant incident on Tuesday morning when a construction crew inadvertently cut through a natural gas line. This event has led to traffic being blocked in the area of Southeast 17th Avenue and Ellis Street. Northwest Natural is promptly on its way to the scene to handle the situation.

Immediate Actions and Assessments

Crews have been dispatched to the area and have conducted thorough inspections of the structures. Thankfully, no accumulation of gas was found in any of the houses, as reported by Portland Fire. The initial response involves attempting to close the valves at the end of each street to halt the flow of natural gas into the air. This crucial step is being taken to prevent any potential hazards. However, if this initial attempt proves unsuccessful, they will proceed to dig around the gas line and clamp it. This process is estimated to take up to an hour, as informed by Portland Fire.

Impact on TriMet Services

The gas leak has also had a significant impact on TriMet services. Multiple service stops have been reported due to the incident. For trips to Mt. Scott and 112th, there will be no service stops from SE Milwaukie and Long to SE Bybee and 22nd. Similarly, for trips to Gateway/NE 99th Ave TC, no service stops will be available from SE Bybee and Milwaukie to SE Milwaukie and Long. Line 70 trips from SE 17th and Spokane to SE Milwaukie and Long will also be affected, with no service stops. Additionally, for trips to Milwaukie, there will be no service stops from SE Milwaukie and Long to SE 17th and Tacoma. These service disruptions are likely to cause inconvenience to commuters and residents in the affected area.

Ongoing Development and Updates

This is an ongoing story, and more information is expected to be made available as the situation progresses. The authorities are working diligently to ensure the safety of the community and restore normalcy as quickly as possible. Residents and commuters in the Southeast 17th Avenue and Ellis Street area are advised to stay updated through local news channels and official announcements. The impact of this gas line incident extends beyond the immediate traffic and service disruptions, highlighting the importance of proper construction safety and prompt response in such situations.