Residents were allowed back into their homes at 8.19am.
It's understood the work was being carried about by Russel Roads contractors working on the intersection of Eastbourne St West and Nelson St South.
The company did not wish to comment on the subject.
Incident commander Collin Littlewood attended the scene and said firefighters had to open hose lines to dissipate the gas.
The issue was finally resolved around 9.30am and cordons were removed from the area.
The Hawke's Bay region has experienced its fair share of gas leaks over the last year.
A significant gas leak was reported in April, after fire fighters were called to Mersey and Severn streets in Napier.
Businesses on Thames St were hastily evacuated following a gas leak and workers 150 metres away heard "loud hissing" noises.
Galvanising HB general manager Richard Millea said the leak had come from a mains gas line after a flange blew.
Several Napier streets also temporarily closed in January this year, after a car hit a gas pipe at Briscoes, Hastings St.
Emergency services cordoned off the area between Munroe St, Sale St, Edwardes St and Marine Parade at the time.
Briscoes and some nearby hotels along Hastings St were evacuated as a precaution and members of the public were asked to avoid the area.
Napier Fire Brigade Senior Station Officer Jamie Nichol said two Napier appliances were sent to the accident which caused a leak at a house gas meter attached to the side of Briscoes.
