Due to a utility problem, a stretch of MD Route 22 was closed for most of the day Thursday and some properties in the area were evacuated, according to officials.
"Please avoid using Route 22 in the Route 155 area for the next several hours," Harford County emergency officials said in an automated call after 3 p.m., stating that traffic would be "heavily impacted."
At approximately 11 a.m., fire and hazardous materials teams responded to the 2900 block of Churchville Road for a natural gas leak after construction workers hit a four-inch gas line, Harford County Emergency Management reported.
Route 22 was shut down between Glenville Road and MD Route 155/Level Road just before 11:30 a.m., according to transportation officials.
Seven homes in the area were evacuated and Churchville Elementary School officials were alerted, according to the Harford County Volunteer Fire & EMS Association, which said hazardous material crews were evaluating air quality.
After 1 p.m., BGE was at the scene but the utility company needed several hours to make repairs, according to the report from emergency management, which stated motorists should avoid the Churchville area for the rest of Thursday afternoon.
At approximately 4 p.m., Harford County Emergency Management said the leak had been repaired but the road was still closed.
Before 9 p.m., Harford County Volunteer Fire & EMS reported BGE was still on the scene, and the road had opened.
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