Workers Hit Gas Main

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by Melissa Bailey | Oct 4, 2012 12:07 pm

(3) Comments | Commenting has been closed | E-mail the Author

Posted to: Transportation

Melissa Bailey Photo Workers digging on Trumbull Street Thursday struck a gas main for the third time in about a year, snarling traffic and forcing people in nearby buildings to leave the area.

The accident took place at 10:15 a.m. Thursday at Trumbull and Lincoln streets, according to fire Capt. Richard Rife, the incident commander at the scene. Firefighters responded to report of a broken gas main. Police shut down traffic in the area.

Thursday marked “at least the third time” workers had hit a gas main since construction began on Trumbull Street, according to Rife.

There was no immediate danger to the public.

Police Detective Scott Branfuhr, who was working an extra-duty job at the construction site, said workers from C.J. Fucci Inc., a company the Greater New Haven Water Pollution Control Authority hired to separate the sewer and storm drains along that street, were digging with an excavator in order to replace a catch basin at the corner of Trumbull and Lincoln.

The excavator pulled up a bucket of dirt. Then he heard a “hiss.” Branfuhr said the excavator did not directly hit the gas main. Instead, a wall in the pit they had dug gave way, dislodging a 1-inch, low-pressure gas pipe.

“The wall just collapsed and took the pipe down with it,” he said.

After the accident, Southern Connecticut Gas Company arrived on-scene and shut off the gas line, said Capt. Rife.

Firefighters from Squad 1, Engine 4 and Car 33 reported to the scene. They knocked on the doors of three nearby buildings and told people to leave the area. They used a gas meter to test if the air inside the buildings; there was no gas present, Rife said.

Trumbull Street, a main artery that takes drivers onto and off of Interstate 91, reopened to traffic at 11:30 a.m.

Comments

posted by: cedarhillresident! on October 4, 2012 12:54pm

yeah I am saying it NEVER EVER HIRE THIS COMPANY EVER AGAIN!

posted by: PH on October 4, 2012 12:56pm

It seems like Trumbull has been closed for an eternity. What is the expected date that this mess will be completed? Or has it already come and gone?

posted by: parejkoj on October 4, 2012 6:19pm

PH: I asked a police officer on site that exact question a few weeks ago. He said that it should be done around Fall of next year.

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