A private construction crew was working on an underground gas pipe a little before 12:30 p.m. yesterday when they severed the pipe with their backhoe. A Pacific Gas and Electric Company worker at the scene said they were working on repairs to the sewer lines.
Police were forced to block off the four-block region cutting off cars and pedestrians to the area. At least 100 neighborhood residents, business owners, and their customers were forced to leave the area.
Both Folsom Street and 11th, normally busy thoroughfares, were blocked off and caused immense gridlock in all directions. At many times the traffic was at a standstill. Local businesses were all also affected.
“Ask my customers. They were pretty irate,” said Carlann Lauria, the manager of Crocker’s Lockers, one of the businesses affected by the blockade. Lauria’s employees were able to meet with the customers outside of the perimeter to collect payments.
Samantha Feldman, the manager of Wa-Ha-Ka restaurant echoed Lauria’s frustration. Wa-Ha-Ka is located on the same corner where the construction crew was working. With everyone forced to clear the area, Feldman estimated that the restaurant lost about $500 worth of business as a result of the stoppage.
PG&E said that the gas line was turned back on at 5:09 p.m.
Your lead still needs work; the rest is fine.
ReplyDeleteYour lead is passive voice (was ruptured). Make it active voice and be more specific about when (yesterday afternoon) and about the impact (shutting down traffic, evacuation).
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