A section of Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Strip District was down to one lane Monday morning as Duquesne Light crews worked to repair a leaking underground transmission cable.
According to TribLive news partner WTAE, the repairs were happening in the area of Liberty Avenue and 27th Street.
Duquesne Light said in a statement that the substance is a clear, mineral-like liquid with a glossy-like sheen that has a faint mineral oil smell. The non-flammable and non-combustible fluid is non-toxic to the public, but can impact aquatic life in large, concentrated quantities.
More than 43,000 gallons of the fluid have escaped so far, Duquesne Light estimates. The company does not know how long the road closure will last, but said it would provide updates.
The company learned of the leak April 29 and has been working on locating the source since. They said no power has been lost because of the incident, and no one has been hurt. The transmission cable spans from Brunot Island to the Strip District.
Duquesne Light has notified local and state agencies, including the Public Utility Commission, Pittsburgh Emergency Management, Allegheny County Emergency Services, Army Corp of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard, Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Environmental Protection. In a statement, the company noted it is working with local partners, including Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority and Allegheny County Sanitary Authority, to minimize impact to the rivers and sewer systems.
If any area residents notice a clear yet frothy-like substance on the rivers or entering nearby waterways, they should notify the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802
