Gas line strike near LAX threatens severe Memorial Day traffic

A contractor ruptured a six-inch natural gas line on Sepulveda Boulevard near Los Angeles International Airport around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, forcing overnight lane closures and threatening severe traffic delays through the Memorial Day holiday weekend, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

The damage to Sepulveda Boulevard — a main access point to LAX — comes at one of the year's busiest travel periods, raising particular concern for Orange County residents and travelers who rely on the corridor for airport access during the holiday rush.

A third-party contractor conducting utility work on Sepulveda Boulevard struck the six-inch gas main, also damaging a water main in the process, according to ABC7 Los Angeles, which cited City News Service. Several lanes of the boulevard were closed overnight while crews responded.

SoCal Gas dispatched repair crews to perform temporary overnight fixes, with permanent repairs expected to be completed by Thursday morning, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. Utility officials said gas service to the surrounding area is not anticipated to be disrupted.

The strike hit one of the primary surface-street access routes to LAX at a particularly fraught moment. Travel volumes through the airport are expected to climb sharply as Memorial Day weekend begins, with any road closure on Sepulveda Boulevard carrying outsized consequences for commuters and airline passengers alike.

"Homeowners, businesses and contractors are encouraged to call 811 before digging at construction sites or in yards to avoid damaging underground lines," officials said, underscoring the safety protocols that the incident highlights.

Permanent repairs were expected to wrap up Thursday morning. Drivers and travelers departing Orange County for LAX during the Memorial Day weekend are advised to monitor real-time traffic conditions and plan extra travel time.