Enstar making emergency repairs to broken gas pipeline near Whittier
Enstar Natural Gas crews are making emergency repairs to a pipeline with a gas leak below the Twentymile River that may result in an outage to the nearby community of Whittier, officials say.
The leak is in an 8-inch submerged pipe at a river crossing, according to Enstar spokesperson Lindsay Hobson. It’s located about a half-mile from a popular Seward Highway boat launch south of Girdwood.
A boater reported the smell of gas on Sunday and crews confirmed the leak that evening, Hobson said. A crew returned to the area Monday and confirmed “the extent of the issue,” she said in a message Tuesday morning.
The line serves the community of Whittier.
“Residents and businesses are encouraged to be aware of the situation and prepare for the possibility of a temporary interruption in natural gas service,” city officials said in a social media post Monday.
Enstar operates 39 meters in Whittier — including one that serves the 14-story Begich Towers condominium building where several hundred people live.
Enstar is repairing the line and working to confirm a plan to truck liquefied natural gas to Whittier from Fairbanks, Hobson said. The utility plans to shut down the pipe for repairs once the LNG trailer arrives, she said.
The LNG will be “regasified” into the system to serve the area affected by any outage, according to an update the utility issued to Whittier-area customers. Service may be interrupted over the next 30 to 45 days as the utility works on constructing a new cross bore beneath the Twentymile River, officials warned. If service is interrupted, gas-powered appliances like furnaces, water heaters or dryers and stoves won’t operate.
Utility officials urged Whittier community members to identify a safe, warm place to stay in case temperatures drop, make alternate plans if a household member has medical or accessibility needs that could be affected by a loss of heat or hot water, and update their contact information with Enstar.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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