Gas Main Break in Hazlet Caused Overnight Closure of Route 36

A portion of Route 36 in Hazlet was closed overnight Thursday after a construction company working on Poole Avenue struck a gas main.

According to Chief James Broderick, JF Kiley Company was working on replacing an old gas line on Poole near the intersection of Route 36 at about 10:20 p.m. when their backhoe hit a four-inch gas main.  

Firefighters from Hazlet Fire Co. 1, West Keansburg and North Centerville responded to the scene and remained there until the leaking main was repaired. They continually monitored the gas levels in the air, which were not high enough to present a risk to nearby residents or businesses, Broderick explained. 

Route 36 South between Middle Road and just beyond Poole Avenue was closed during the incident and traffic traveling north on 36 was diverted onto the Poole Avenue jughandle to provide a safe distance from the leak. 

At about 12:40 a.m., the gas supply to the leaking main was shut off and the fire companies left the scene, Broderick said. However, a small area of Poole Avenue remained closed until about 5:30 a.m. while crews continued to repair the main and pave the roadway.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation also responded to the scene to assist with the traffic detours.