Updated at 9:52 a.m.

Members of the Potsdam Fire Department and workers from EnBridge St. Lawrence Gas work together to ensure safety during a gas leak near the new Hampton Inn in Potsdam. Staff photo by Matt Lindsey.

POTSDAM -- Potsdam firefighters and police, along with workers from Enbrdige St. Lawrence Gas responded to a gas leak on Market Street near May Road around 8:45 a.m. this morning.

A police dispatcher said the leak was reported near the Hampton Inn construction site.

"There was damage to one of our lines and our crews are repairing it now," General Manage of Enbridge, Jim Ward said.

A customer at McDonald's, which is next door to the hotel, reported that the restaurant was being evacuated and that a strong smell of natural gas was eminating from the area. McDonalds employees have since returned to work and the restuarant reopened around 9:45 a.m.

A Potsdam police officer helps motorists find alternate route during this morning's gas leak in Potsdam. NorthCountryNow.com staff photo by Matt Lindsey.

Traffic was re-routed from the intersections of the May Road and Market Street to the intersection of Grove and Market Streets for about 45 minutes.

Ward said it was not clear what caused the leak but there is an investigation underway.

More details are expected.