CHICAGO – According to the Indiana State Police, Interstate 94 had to be closed in both directions near Portage on Tuesday because of a gas leak. The highway has since reopened.

Sergeant Glen Fifield said the leak occurred near Bass Pro Shop and State Road 249, prompting the closure at around 12:40 p.m. The Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) estimated it would take at least three hours to secure the area.

I-94 was closed as crews worked to repair the damaged gas line and contain the leak. Authorities advised motorists to use alternate routes during the closure.

At 6:20 p.m., Sergeant Fifield announced that all eastbound and westbound lanes of I-94 were reopened.

It was not immediately clear what caused the damage to the gas line. NIPSCO released the following statement Tuesday evening:

“This afternoon, NIPSCO crews responded to damage caused by a third party to our gas line at 6750 Daniel Burnham Dr. in Portage, Indiana. Gas flow to the damaged section of pipe has now been successfully shut off and traffic is flowing again. Our crews have begun repairing the damaged section of pipe. We would like to thank the community for their patience during this incident.”