A damaged natural gas pipeline has closed Route 29 toward Centreville.

The southbound lanes are currently closed at Stringfellow Road. According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, work to repair the leak is expected to continue into the afternoon rush hour this Thursday.

“Closure is expected to continue into rush hour,” VDOT tweeted at 2:06 p.m. “Signal timing in the area will be monitored and adjusted as needed. Look for alternate routes.”

Route 29 between Union Mill Road and Buckleys Gate Drive has been under construction since March 2023 as part of a widening project that will add two lanes and shared use paths. The southbound right lane is scheduled to be closed from Stringfellow to Union Mill starting at 10 a.m. tomorrow (Friday) for paving work.

The cause of the damage to the line has not yet been confirmed, a Fairfax County Fire Department spokesman said. Washington Gas did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

According to a statement released by Fairfax Alerts at 1:43 p.m., the closure is “expected to last up to four hours” and motorists are advised to “expect delays.”

#Centreville: SB Rt 29 is closed at Stringfellow Rd due to a damaged gas main. Closure is expected to continue into rush hour. Signal timing in the area will be monitored and adjusted as necessary. Look for alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/2wGROvFAG8

– VDOT Northern VA (@VaDOTNOVA) 22 August 2024