Bethelview Road was closed for about two hours Thursday afternoon due to a gas main break resulting from construction in the area, according to authorities.

Doug Rainwater, spokesman for the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, said “somebody broke a gas main” and Bethelview was closed until it was capped off and secure.

Division Chief Jason Shivers said that customers and employees of nearby businesses were encouraged to stay where they were, since evacuating the area would have resulted in their driving by the leak, which was right next to Parkway North Drive. Children at a nearby child care center were kept inside until the leak was capped at 2:08 p.m.

The closure involved the section from Hwy. 9 to Castleberry Road, which is dotted by businesses, including the day care, dry cleaner and car wash.

The area affected by the gas main break has been the focus of ongoing roadwork and traffic delays for months.

The state Department of Transportation is redesigning the intersection of Hwy. 9 and Bethelview, widening it from one lane in each direction to two lanes with turn lanes and sidewalks.

Officials have said the project, which will include dual left-turn lanes and a new right-turn lane, will improve the efficiency of the crossing, moving more vehicles through in the same amount of time.

The $4.4 million project, which spans about a half mile, is slated to be completed by July.