Ruptured gas line re-routes traffic

A ruptured gas line on U.S. 93 north of Kalispell forced authorities to reroute traffic for more than two hours Tuesday. The highway was closed between West Reserve Drive and Tronstad Road from 10 a.m. to about noon. Vehicles were forced to cut across to Whitefish Stage Road, causing backups and delays.

The gas line, which runs perpendicular to road, was hit by construction crews laying sewer and water pipes to a new subdivision near Church Drive, according to the West Valley Fire Department. Gas could be smelled more than 100 yards away.

The West Valley Fire Department, Montana Highway Patrol, Kalispell Police Department, and NorthWestern Energy responded to the scene.