(Updated: 1:30) A National Grid crew is working to repair the ruptured gas main damaged by Suffolk County Water Authority workers installing water and sewer lines on Sound Avenue this morning. Natural gas was turned off to four homes in the vicinity of the damaged main near Harbes Farms, according to a spokesperson for the utility. Service is expected to be restored by the end of the day, she said.
Police closed down Sound Avenue between Herricks Lane in Riverhead and Aldrich Lane in Laurel as a precaution, Southold Police Chief Martin Flatley said.
Harbes and at least one other nearby business on Sound Avenue, Patty’s Berries and Bunches, were evacuated.
Flately said he did not know how long it will take to repair the main and reopen the roadway, but National Grid is on scene working on it. The chief said he did not expect the road closure to last all day.
The shutdown comes on a day when thousands of people are expected to attend the FOLD music festival at Martha Clara Vineyards, which is located along the stretch of Sound Avenue that’s been closed to traffic.
Riverhead Police are planning to close down Herricks Lane later today to all motorists except concert-goers and residents who live on Herricks or one of the side streets accessible only from Herricks, Riverhead Police Chief David Hegermiller said yesterday.
Correction: A previously published version of this story incorrectly identified the gas utility as PSEG; it is National Grid.
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