Gas Leak Reported on Florence Street in Newton

Florence Street in Newton is shut down this afternoon after construction crews struck a gas main in the area, according to an alert issued by the Newton Police Department.

The road is open only to residents and cross streets, the alert said. 

Drivers can expect heavy traffic delays in the area of Route 9 and Hammond Pond Parkway as crews work to fix the gas main, which occurred near 177 Florence St.

Other construction nearby on Hammond Pond Parkway will also cause back-ups.

Keyspan is on scene working with Newton Police and Newton Fire, the alert said.

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According to scanner reports, the gas main incident happened just after 1 p.m. The Newton Fire Department responded to the scene and checked homes in the area around the leak.

Earlier today, construction crews hit an electrical line in the same area, according to scanner reports.