A natural gas leak behind the Vancouver Art Gallery forced road closures and traffic headaches for hours Monday.

The leak sprung around 10 a.m. on the north side of the Vancouver Art Gallery. There is construction in the area but it’s unclear if that’s what caused the leak.

Crews shut down Georgia Street from Howe to Burrard streets to traffic to investigate and a large area was blocked off with yellow caution tape.

TransLink buses that normally travel down Georgia Street were rerouted because of the roadway closures, and sidewalks were shut down as a precaution.

The Vancouver Art Gallery remained open, but patrons only had limited access.

Fortis BC identified the source of the leak around 12:30 p.m., and said repairs were underway.

Jonathon Gormick of Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services said the leak was “sizable” but there was never a danger to people in the area.

“We’re fortunate that natural gas is a safe product, considerably lighter than air. So when it leaks out of a pipe it rises and dissipates and buildings aren’t in any danger,” he said.