BENTON — A minor gas leak happened on Route 37 south of Benton Monday afternoon.

Ameren Illinois spokesperson Brian Bretsch says a third-party contractor working for Ameren hit a 2-inch gas pipe around 3:30 p.m.

Benton Fire was called to the scene and shut down the highway until Ameren crews could arrive to assess the situation. Traffic was detoured onto a side road because gas was going across the highway.

Ameren was able to shut the gas off at 4:30 p.m. The road reopened to traffic at 4:45 p.m.

Only one customer was affected according to Bretsch.