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Gas Leak Derails Metrolink Train Service
May 9, 2008, 8:54 PM PDT
Tustin -- A construction crew broke a natural gas pipe today near
train tracks in Irvine, creating a nightmare for thousands of commuters,
officials said.A city crew drilling a hole near Jeffrey Road to sink a pylon for a railroad underpass punctured the eight-inch gas main about 8 a.m., said Rachel Laing of Southern California Gas Co. No injuries were reported and no evacuations were necessary because the leak was in an open area bordering orange groves, agricultural fields and a golf course, said Irvine police Lt. Rick Handfield. But rail service on both commuter and freight lines were affected, and commuters going home tonight will face "significant" delays, said Vernae Graham of Amtrak. "It's been a nightmare" for Orange County Metrolink commuters, said Denise Tyrrell of Metrolink. Amtrak passengers heading south had to get off at Santa Ana, and Metrolink riders in Tustin, to be bused to Irvine, where they got back on a train to complete their trips, railroad officials said. Northbound passengers got off the trains in Irvine and were bused to Santa Ana or Tustin to continue their trips. Eight-inch gas mains are so far underground that they are seldom damaged during construction, Laing said. "It's an unusually complex situation," she said. "It's exceedingly rare to hit an eight-inch main. No one's digging that deep." Although the main was punctured about 8 a.m., the gas company was not called until 8:30 a.m. because most of the gas leaked underground, except for some that escaped through the drilling spot. she said. Crews have had to hand dig through dirt that is "like cement" to reach the pipe to pinch off both sides. "Where we're digging is 100 feet away from the break ... to prevent ignition," Laing said. Crews hoped to get get the line pinched off by late afternoon, but it was not fixed by 4 p.m., Tyrrell said. "Nothing is wrong with the track," she said, and service can resume as soon as the gas leak is contained. Copyright © 2008, KTLA
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