Posted on Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 6:21 p.m.
Contractor breaks gas main near Briarwood Mall in Ann Arbor
By Cindy Heflin
A contractor broke a gas main near Briarwood Mall in Ann Arbor this evening, a DTE Energy spokesman said.
Crews were on scene just after 6 p.m. shutting off the gas and preparing to repair the line, said Scott Simons.
Ann Arbor Fire Department Battalion Chief Robert Vogel said the 3-inch line likely would be repaired by 7:45 p.m. The fire department, DTE officials and Briarwood security and staff decided not to evacuate the mall, he said, adding that they continue to monitor levels. The smell can be detected in the mall, but there are no flammable gases.
The contractor was working on the construction of a new hotel near the mall, reports indicated.
Comments
maallen
Fri, Dec 2, 2011 : 7:30 a.m.
It would be nice to know the name of the company, what kind of record they have, whether they are union or not, etc. Brinkmann Constructors is the General Contractor on this project, but which company was actually doing the digging?
hut hut
Fri, Dec 2, 2011 : 4:42 a.m.
How responsive a privatized inspection/building safety business would be? On call or available 24/7? Would they be equipped with experienced , professional personnel to execute an unbiased investigation or issue a legal expert's report on said gas line? Or would we just accept the investigation of a self employed contract employee who low bid the contract and is willing to do most anything to be retained?
hut hut
Fri, Dec 2, 2011 : 2:23 p.m.
It has to do with the new state law that takes power and control of local building safety services away from the municipality and puts it in the hands of Lansing and private business.
justcurious
Fri, Dec 2, 2011 : 11:38 a.m.
What does this have to do with a gas main break? Miss Dig locates the line, the company begins the work (not always in a timely manner). Hopefully the markings are still there. Sometimes they aren't (snow, activity in the area, etc.). The company is supposed to recall Miss Dig if there is a question, but that doesn't always happen. The line gets ruptured. The Gas Company is called and comes out to fix the line. All of these people are in the private sector. None are Government.
Buster W.
Fri, Dec 2, 2011 : 4:01 a.m.
Do you smell something?
tdw
Fri, Dec 2, 2011 : 1:54 a.m.
Ooops.......
cibachrome
Fri, Dec 2, 2011 : 1:20 a.m.
They probably called Miss Dig instead of Ms Dig. Ann Arbor, eh?
linuxtuxguy
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 11:55 p.m.
I could smell this when leaving work today. That must have been a LARGE leak to smell that strong from such a distance!
EcoChicMomma
Fri, Dec 2, 2011 : 12:27 a.m.
I don't know where you work or how close it was to the break, but the odorants that are added to natural gas can be detected by the human nose at only 10 parts per billion. It was a 3-inch line, so it's conceivable that this could be smelled more than a mile or 2 away.