This from the Chapel Hill police:
East Franklin Street is currently closed between Estes Drive and Boundary Street due to a severed gas line. The gas line was apparently cut by workers in the area and repairs are expected to take several hours. Chapel Hill Fire and police officials are at the scene awaiting repairs to the line. Traffic has been rerouted to keep cars from the area. Officials hope to have the street opened before evening rush hour.
And just in time for one of the heaviest traffic days of the year.