Gas Leak Prompts Evacuations, SR-163 Closure In Mission Valley

Update: As of 7:15 p.m., all evacuation orders have been lifted. SR-163 reopened, including all ramps and connectors, shortly before 8 p.m.

SAN DIEGO, CA – A gas leak shut down a busy freeway and evacuated nearby businesses and homes, including an entire mall, Wednesday in San Diego. The ruptured gas line was reported at 10:36 a.m. near the corner of Friars Road and Ulric Street in San Diego's Mission Valley neighborhood, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The intersection is adjacent to the Friars Road exit off state Route 163, near Fashion Valley mall.

Within the hour, San Diego police closed off traffic near the intersection as crews worked to fix the break, which was caused when construction crews cut through a 20-inch natural gas line. The California Highway Patrol closed SR-163 between Interstate 8 and Interstate 805, as well as the northbound and southbound SR-163 off-ramps to Friars Road.

Initially, police advised people in the area of Friars Road, from Frazee to Fashion Valley roads, to shelter in place. Authorities later evacuated Fashion Valley mall, and all other businesses and residences within a half-mile radius of the severed gas line.

The evacuation order affected close to 3,300 people in 1,100 homes, police said. San Diego County Office of Education's main campus in Linda Vista and Metro Street office were among the buildings evacuated.

"We initially evacuated a small area, trying to reduce the impact to the city and the community around us," said Mike McBride, battalion chief with San Diego Fire-Rescue. "We realized quickly the potential problem here was much greater, so we expanded our evacuation zone to take that into account."

As of 4 p.m., mandatory evacuation orders remained in place for the following areas: David and Ulric streets eastbound to Mission Valley and Mission Center roads, southbound to Mission Center and Camino De La Reina and westbound to include the north-west side of the Fashion Valley mall entrance, according to the county. Temporary evacuation points were established at Riverwalk Golf Course and Fenton Marketplace.

Officials asked motorists to avoid traveling to the area. Heavy congestion was expected in the area through the evening commute, according to Caltrans.

San Diego Gas and Electric officials said they were investigating the incident.

"Public safety is our highest priority," SDG&E spokesman Joe Britton said. "We appreciate everybody's patience through this process."

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