A stretch of the Cranberry Highway in West Wareham was closed for almost two hours due to a gas leak on Wednesday, November 9.

Wareham Fire Chief Robert McDuffy said a gas company was working on Charlotte Furnace Road when a backhoe struck a four-inch main gas line, causing a leak.

The Fire Department responded and secured the perimeter, evacuated neighboring properties, and monitored the area. Once the gas leak was under control and the neighboring buildings were deemed safe, people were allowed to return and the highway was reopened, McDuffy said.

A police officer was stationed at the intersection of Cranberry Highway and Tow Road to direct traffic around the leak, causing back-ups and confusion among drivers who wanted to continue along Route 28.

Residents were permitted to wait in the Maxi Gas parking lot on the corner before they were allowed to return to their homes located off the closed portion of the highway.