Old Gas Lines Problems (suburban, planner, area, property)
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In NYC this was an explosion that caused 2 buildings to collapse. The cause is said to be due to an old cast iron line (from the mid-1800s) that caused a gas leak although it didn't actually burst. It seems that problem of old gas lines is not only a NYC problem but a problem around the USA. What is it like your area and what suggestions in general as urban planners would there be to make the situation safer (being it isn't practical to change all the old underground gas lines)?
There isn't anything you can do. You either change all the pipes or you accept it. It's just a regular occurrence. NYC has a steam pipe go about every other year. Most of the people in this forum are of the opinion that cities are Built To Last(TM), so it's only problem in disposable suburbs. The suburbanite will just move to a new disposable suburb once all the post-war housing falls down at exactly 30 years and not one day longer. The urbanites will bury their heads in the sand because they live someplace Built To Last(TM).
Joking aside, you replace all the pipelines. Most places have chose to live with it.
Either your fund the proper maintenance and replacement of infrastructure with modern infrastructure, or you suffer the consequences. With pipes, it seems it's still a very low priority in most areas. The cost and difficulty of doing so (essentially: tearing up the entire road) probably is part of the issue.
The gas main is 127 years old, giving an idea how old the neighborhood is.
NYC is in a desperate need to replace this infrastructure, unfortunately this will probably never happen or would require a much larger devastation, and even then it probably would never happen throughout the whole city.
It didn't help that we have had some extreme weather this season with deep cold days with warmer days mixed in which could weaken these kinds of pipes.
Gas lines are property of the utility. Of course, neighborhood residents should notify them if a gas odor is present. Surprise: Utilities dig up streets all the time to replace lines.
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