Redondo Pipeline Repair Began Same Day as San Bruno Explosion

UPDATE: Southern California Gas Co. told Patch that it is retrofitting the high-pressure line to make it more efficient.

Southern California Gas Co. began a Redondo pipeline repair project Sept. 9—the same day a pipeline exploded in the Northern California community of San Bruno. According to information posted on the city's website Wednesday, the company will inspect and perform maintenance work on the pipeline, located at 190th Street between Green Lane and Blossom Lane.

The work is federally mandated, and expected to continue through the end of the year. It has already wreaked havoc on traffic along that stretch of the road, which has been reduced to one lane in both directions. 

The construction is scheduled to occur from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. When Patch visited after 5 p.m. Wednesday, the crews were already gone for the day.

The Gas Co. sent a letter to nearby residents, dated Sept. 9, advising them that they might notice increased noise and vibrations from the work. It apologized for the traffic delays and occasional gas odors they might smell.

City officials initially referred Patch inquiries about city gas pipelines to the gas company, but the company representative contacted by Patch declined to speak specifically about Redondo's pipelines, citing security concerns.

The Sept. 9 gas explosion in San Bruno killed several people. According to a report in the L.A. Times on Wednesday, state regulators gave Pacific Gas & Electric the green light to repair that pipeline in 2007, but the work was never done. 

Patch will continue to monitor the Redondo project and provide updates as warranted.