Hwy. 53 was shut down between Lumpkin Campground Road and Ga. 400 just after 5 a.m. Monday due to a gas main break caused by construction near Regions Bank.

The roadway was closed for more than five hours as crews repaired the line.

Dawson County Sheriff Billy Carlisle, who was on the scene and helped re-route traffic, said workers were able to open the road to motorists just before 10:30 a.m.

Several businesses were evacuated while crews attempted to contain the leak, according to Dawson County Emergency Services Director Lanier Swafford.

Regions Bank, Burger King, CVS, Goodwill, the stores north of the thrift shop in the old Ingles shopping center and Tower Automotive have all now reopened.