Photo: James Rojas/WBZ News Radio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Residents in Allston are fed up with local government and a utility company over what they're calling inaction about a possible gas leak. Now, a representative with Nation Grid says they've been aware of the natural gas leak underneath Cambridge St. Bridge since late January. The company says it won't be repaired however, because it's a "non-hazardous" leak and "does not require immediate repair."
National Grid released a statement:
"We are aware of the gas leak on the Cambridge Street Bridge/Mass Pike Overpass in Allston and we have been out previously to investigate. To date, the leak investigations have shown that the leak is not hazardous and therefore does not require immediate repair. We continue to monitor this leak and have gone out to investigate again today to confirm it remains non-hazardous (it does). We inspect this bridge every three years and it is due for a full inspection in April. If any inspections or investigations find a hazardous condition, we will develop a plan to remediate it."
Residents in the area say they've reached out to Boston's 311 service and gas providers multiple times after smelling the gas leak in the area. Some tell us they've been smelling it for months, some say years. It isn't just the smell that's bothering residents.
"We're venting methane into the atmosphere which is one of the most potent greenhouse gasses," one resident told WBZ's James Rojas.
National Grid says it does work to minimize impacts on the environment and repair all significant leaks in accordance with DPU, adding that due to the location of this specific leak, they also need to consider the significant disruption to the public to conduct repairs.
WBZ's James Rojas (@JamesRojasNews) reports:
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