Gas leak in downtown Prosper disrupts traffic, prompts safety warnings

Traffic slowed and downtown Prosper turned into a repair zone Tuesday morning after a major gas leak near 5th Street, 6th Street and Broadway Street forced safety warnings and disrupted movement through the city core.

Utility crews were actively working on the leak while Prosper Police urged people to stay away from the area until repairs were finished. The incident was serious enough to affect drivers, pedestrians and access to nearby businesses in downtown Prosper, where narrow streets and steady local traffic can quickly magnify even a short utility outage.

The report surfaced Tuesday morning and was posted May 19, 2026, at 10:06 a.m. CDT. In a downtown district that blends restaurants, small businesses, civic activity and nearby neighborhoods, a gas leak can ripple beyond the immediate block. Avoiding the area was the clearest instruction for residents and commuters: leave room for crews to isolate the line, complete repairs and keep emergency access routes open.

For anyone who smells gas, CoServ’s safety guidance is straightforward. Leave the area immediately and avoid anything that could spark, including switches, appliances, lighters and vehicles. To report a gas leak or gas-related emergency, call 911 and CoServ’s emergency line at 844-330-0763.

The Prosper incident also fit a familiar pattern for the downtown corridor. In a prior gas-leak-related alert, Prosper Police told people to avoid the 300 block of Broadway between Church Street and Coleman Street. That earlier disruption underscored how vulnerable the downtown grid can be when utility problems strike near heavily traveled streets and older infrastructure.

For Collin County commuters and downtown shoppers, the practical takeaway was simple: expect delays, follow detours and give repair crews space. For Prosper, the leak was another reminder that fast growth and an active downtown come with a constant need for utility vigilance, especially where local traffic, construction and emergency work can collide in the same few blocks.