Gas leak forced authorities to close part of Brooklyn Bridge

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN (WABC) -- A gas leak forced authorities to close part of the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday morning.

Investigators say a construction crew damaged a gas pipe with a backhoe at about 9:30.

Workers were installing a sidewalk on Jay Street when they struck the pipe.

Officials ordered the evacuation of the District Courthouse and Eastbound lanes on the bridge were shut down as a precaution.

Gas service to residential buildings was not affected.