Ruptured water main dampens Downtown commerce
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This story was written by Jonathan D. Silver, based on his reporting and that of staff writers Michael A. Fuoco, Lillian Thomas, Byron Spice, Joe Grata and Nicole Fuller. Jonathan D. Silver can be reached at jsilver@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1962.
 Â Crews today were preparing to replace a section of a water main that ruptured yesterday, unleashing a flood that continues to dampen commerce in Downtown Pittsburgh.
At 10:30 a.m., city Public Works Director Guy Costa said crews were ready to install a replacement section of pipe, 36 inches in diameter, beneath Fort Duquesne Boulevard. The work was delayed for a time when digging equipment struck an electrical line.
Nearby, meanwhile, a line of 85 to 100 people formed to claim cars swamped in underground garages after the pipe and an adjacent 12-inch line ruptured. At Stanwix Street and Penn Avenue, five uniformed officers checked licenses, registrations and vehicle identification numbers. Police are giving car owners reports that can be turned over to insurance companies.
But owners weren't able to get their cars this morning. Police were waiting for the fire department to ensure the garages were clear of gas fumes or other hazards. Then, detectives were planning to videotape the scene.
In addition to closing part of Fort Duquesne Boulevard and intersections around it, yesterday's flood is keeping three office buildings in Gateway Center closed and is affecting other businesses.
J. Monroe Butler II, Post-GazetteAutomobile owners line up at a police command station Downtown this morning to file claims for their vehicles that were flooded in the Stanwix Street Garage.
Click photo for larger image.
Water swallows 175 vehicles in Gateway parking garageBig hotels, businesses ride it outOffice workers, residents take evacuation orders in strideKDKA stays on top of the rising watersSee a graphic that shows the Downtown area affected by the water main break (1.2MB)Previous article: Aging waterlines require repairs, replacementSee today's Photo JournalFor information about access to Gateway Center business towers The management of Gateway Center said it is evaluating "the structural and electrical safety" of One, Two and Three Gateway Center, the look-alike trio bounded by Fort Duquesne Boulevard, Liberty Avenue and Stanwix Street.
Water from the broken main flooded the parking garage and basement of One Gateway yesterday, swamping cars and KDKA-TV's trucks. The three office buildings will be closed until power can be restored safely. The managers said tenants should assume the buildings will remain closed unless they hear otherwise through news outlets or the management's Web site.
Duquesne Light's Matt Pitzarella said the power company is working closely with building managers and emergency officials. Around noon, Two Gateway was re-energized. Three Gateway still has water that must be pumped out before electrical equipment can be checked.
Pitzarella said One Gateway had power from the third floor up throughout the crisis, but KDKA's lower floors were knocked out. Eventually, that power will have to be turned off for a while so switches can be checked. Then power will be returned to all but KDKA's floors.
First Published August 18, 2005 12:00 am
