May 3, 2025

Gas Leaks Cause Lane Closures in Lexington

News Summary

In Lexington, all lanes of South Lake Drive have reopened after a gas leak led to detours. A second leak occurred soon after in the Woodcreek neighborhood, raising safety concerns. Local authorities have issued a stop work order to Ripple Fiber due to a troubling pattern of gas leaks caused by their construction activities. The mayor has called for a meeting to discuss the ongoing issues and ensure community safety.

Lexington – All lanes of South Lake Drive in Lexington have reopened following a gas leak that forced lane closures and detours on Thursday. The incident occurred near the 500 block of South Lake Drive (SC-6) around 4:15 p.m., prompting a swift response from local utility workers.

Repair crews from Dominion Energy were dispatched to fix the damaged gas line, working diligently to restore safe conditions in the area. By 8:50 p.m. on Thursday, police confirmed that all lanes were once again open to traffic after the necessary repairs were completed.

However, the situation escalated on Friday evening when Lexington police responded to yet another gas leak in the Woodcreek neighborhood. This incident resulted in access blockages, further complicating the local infrastructure. The gas leak, which affected a 4-inch gas line, was traced back to the installation of new fiber lines by Ripple Fiber. The leak occurred around 3:45 p.m. and impacted traffic on Stoneridge Drive near the intersection with Woodruff Court until 6:30 p.m.

Local resident Jenny Burkholder reported an overwhelming smell of gas outside her home, describing it as similar to rotten eggs. This pungent odor has raised concerns among residents regarding the safety of their neighborhood, especially considering the frequency of these gas leaks.

Lexington Mayor Hazel Livingston has voiced her concerns regarding Ripple Fiber and the troubling pattern of gas leaks associated with their installations. This latest incident marks the third gas leak attributed to Ripple Fiber in just a week and a half. Mayor Livingston expressed that the ongoing issues are unacceptable and pose potential safety risks, including the heightened risk of explosions.

As a precautionary measure, the Town of Lexington has issued a stop work order to Ripple Fiber to prevent further damage to critical infrastructure and to minimize community disruption. The stop work order will remain in effect until a meeting is convened with Lexington officials, representatives from Dominion Energy, and the Fire Marshal’s Office to thoroughly discuss the recent gas leaks and develop a suitable action plan moving forward.

The concerns about safety are compounded by the fact that Ripple Fiber has previously faced interruptions in their work due to similar safety issues and infrastructural damage during fiber line installations. This recurring theme of utility damage has not only affected Ripple Fiber but has also involved other telecommunications companies, such as Lumos Fiber, which has faced actions from local government officials due to incidents involving utility damage in the past. This situation highlights an ongoing challenge for utility companies as they continue to expand fiber-optic networks while ensuring the safety and reliability of existing gas and electrical lines.

Residents and business owners looking for information regarding Ripple Fiber’s ongoing projects can reach out to their customer service number at 800-359-5767. Meanwhile, Dominion Energy crews will remain active on Stoneridge Drive to perform additional repairs following the reopenings, ensuring services are restored to full capacity.