Busy Gwinnett road reopens after gas main break

A busy stretch of U.S. 78 in Snellville  has reopened after a gas main break forced authorities to close the road and evacuate several businesses evacuated Thursday morning.

Gwinnett County fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge said a 2-inch gas main at the intersection of U.S. 78 and Rockdale Circle was cut shortly before 7:30 a.m.

Walton EMC shut down power to the area about 9 a.m., as crews continued to work to repair the leak.

The leak was capped and the highway reopened about 11:30 a.m.

Authorities evacuated several businesses, including a QuikTrip gas station, a CVS pharmacy and a Waffle House.

According to QuikTrip employees, a crew working to repair an earlier water main break apparently hit and ruptured the gas line.

QuikTrip management told the AJC that the store had likely lost about $5,000 in gasoline and inside sales Thursday morning.

Other nearby businesses, while not evacuated, were still affected by the power outage and the closed roads.

One of those, Amy’s Hair Salon, is about 100 yards from the gas leak.

“We’re here, and no power, so we can’t really do anything,” said owner Amy Till, who said she “snuck in the back way” to reach her salon.

Till said she was supposed to open her shop at 9 a.m., and her appointment calendar was “packed.”

“It will make me work my rear end off today,” she told the AJC. “Everybody will come in and still want their hair done. We’ll be here late tonight.”