Shelter Order Lifted After Downtown SF Gas Leak
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - A shelter-in-place order that had been issued for a block in downtown San Francisco when contractors working for the new Transbay Transit Center damaged a gas pipe Wednesday afternoon was lifted after a couple hours.
Beale Street between Mission and Howard streets closed shortly after 11:46 a.m., when police were notified of the gas leak in that block.
PG&E and the San Francisco Fire Department were notified of the leak, and people who live or work in the area were asked to shelter in place, police said.
PG&E crews arrived at 12:01 p.m. and worked to stop the flow of gas in the 16-inch high-pressure distribution line that serves two large buildings in the area, utility spokesman Joe Molica said.
Crews had stopped the flow of gas through the line at about 1 p.m. and finished final repairs to the gas line, which Molica said was properly marked, about an hour later.
"With these events, it's always a good reminder to utilize safe digging techniques," he said.
To stop the flow to that section of the line, crews utilized valves in the area. They then welded a new section of pipe to replace the damaged section.
One lane of traffic had reopened on Beale Street as of 2:05 p.m.
No injuries were reported.
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