Downtown Binghamton Detour Due to Gas Leak

NYSEG crews this afternoon were working near the downtown Binghamton roundabout to repair a natural gas leak.

Chenango Street was closed to southbound traffic between Henry and Court streets. Chenango Street remained open to northbound traffic. Traffic at the roundabout was not affected by the work.

NYSEG spokesman Bob Pass told WNBF News the leak was reported at 8:57 Tuesday night.

Pass said crews were dispatched to the area and began a leak detection survey.

The problem was found in a two-inch plastic gas main in front of the Midtown Mall building damaged by a December 2010 fire.

Pass said natural gas was leaking into communications and electric ducts in the area.

Crews spent all night venting gas from duct work. NYSEG workers checked nearby buildings for the presence of migrating gas. No traces of gas were found in any of the basements of buildings along Court and Chenango streets.

Pass said the utility was working with city officials to coordinate the repair work, which involved digging into the pavement to gain access to the damaged gas main.

NYSEG expected to have the repairs completed by late this evening.

Pass said gas service to utility customers has not been affected by the leak or the repair work.

The site of the excavation includes part of the recently-completed paving that was done for the Court Street Gateway Project.