Pipeline rupture causes evacuation

Thursday afternoon, a CenterPoint Energy natural gas pipeline ruptured in Benson, shutting down U.S. Highway 12 east near Stony Ridge Foods and the Midwest Machinery John Deere building.
Businesses and residents in the 600 block of U.S. Highway 12 were notified of the gas leak, the City of Benson stated.
Law enforcement vehicles blocked the highway, with traffic detoured into the evening hours. The Benson Fire Department also responded to the gas pipeline rupture.  
In a Facebook post shortly before 7 p.m. last Thursday, the city stated: “The situation with the gas leak remains ongoing. CenterPoint Energy is on site. The leak is significant so it will take some time to repair. 
“We do not have any estimates on time yet for when the leak will be fixed and the traffic restored to normal. Updates will continue to be forthcoming.
“Residents in the immediate area have been evacuated as a precaution, and the gas company has been notified. Please avoid this area until further notice to allow crews to safely address the situation,” it said.
At 9:40 p.m., it updated its post, saying U.S. Highway 12 reopened. 
No cause has been listed yet for the rupture; however, a project running through Benson is installing four underground conduit pipes using a boring machine.