Gas line cut

By Perry Swanson
The Metropolitan

Construction workers at 7th Street and Auraria Parkway cracked a natural gas pipeline Nov. 25, sending strong gas fumes across Aurariaâs north side.

The break happened in the early afternoon, and workers for Sturgeon Electric immediately scrambled to contain the gas. They broke the plastic pipe  in half and sealed each end with adhesive tape.

The pipe, about 4 inches in diameter, was a few feet away from where construction workers expected it to be. They were shoveling dirt with a large backhoe to install high-voltage electrical lines for the future Pepsi Center, said Russ Mogler, the site supervisor.

ãNobody was in any danger,ä Mogler said. ãIt just stunk for a little bit.ä

Employees at Fieldwork Denver, a merchant in the Tivoli, called the Auraria Campus Police, which alerted the Denver Fire Department. At least four fire engines showed up at the Tivoliâs front entrance soon after.
ãThe wind was blowing so much, everybody panicked,ä Mogler said.

Public Service was called at 2:56 p.m., said Bobbye Foster, a
company spokeswoman.

Foster said the company did not turn off gas to any of the surrounding buildings and did not request evacuations. They were able to shut off the gas to the broken pipe, she said.