NW Riverside Blvd. reopened after gas leak

A city crew working to fix a water leak hit a natural gas line Monday morning in northwest Bend, and the resulting leak prompted closure of Riverside Boulevard and the evacuation of homes within a half-block radius for over two hours, officials said. The road reopened later in the day.

The incident occurred around 9:35 a.m. on Riverside Boulevard between NW Hood Place and the Riverside Market, said Anne Aurand, the city’s community relations manager.

Cascade Natural Gas joined Bend fire, police and water utilities crews on site, with fire and utility officials monitoring air levels and wind conditions to protect public health.

Crews were working to fix a water leak when they hit two-inch natural gas line, Aurand said.

The city asked people to avoid the area while crews work to fix the problem by isolating the line and installing a shut-off value.

Aurand said the gas leak was stopped before 11:30 a.m. and crews were repairing the line.

The road was staying closed for repairs, Aurand said, while nearby homes were checked for possible residual gas before allowing people to return. The all-clear was given around noon, though the road remained closed until the late afternoon for repairs to be completed.