Oct. 31--SALEM, N.H. -- A gas leak caused by work done for the Lowe's project on Route 28 closed down Hampshire Street and Route 28 for about two hours yesterday morning.

A crew from National Grid was digging for new electric lines when workers struck a natural gas line about 4 feet below the surface, Salem fire Marshal Jeffrey Emanuelson said.

The work was part of the utility upgrades being done in the plaza as part of the Lowe's construction.

The gas leak, called in about 9:30 a.m., prompted fire officials to close about a quarter-mile of busy Route 28 and Hampshire Street from Oakridge Avenue to Morningside Court.

Salem police rerouted traffic around the leak.

Route 28 was reopened to traffic at 11:30 a.m., and Hampshire Street was reopened at about noon, according to fire Capt. Stephane Cattin.

About 40 people were evacuated from an apartment building on Hampshire Street as a safety precaution, fire officials said.

Emanuelson said National Grid had checked with Dig Safe before they did the work and the area was marked.

"They a followed all standard protocol," he said.

Crews from Unitil were called to shut down about 150 feet of natural gas line, which serviced Namco, a pool business in the plaza where the new Lowe's is being built.

The line was fully repaired by yesterday afternoon.

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