Installing an Underground gas line breaks I-20 in Georgia

[Bob]

A portion of Interstate 20 buckled because of an underground gas pipeline issue in Decatur, Ga.

The explosive rupture hurled a motorcyclist into the air. It seems pipeline decommissioning can be hazardous if the old pipeline is corroded or otherwise damaged.

Below, how it was described that it 'happened':

Witnesses said the motorcyclist was riding in the carpool lane when the pavement suddenly rose up in front of him. Others rushed to his aid. DeKalb County spokesman Andrew Cauthen said he was hospitalized with multiple fractures.

The buckling was caused by a utility crew using machinery to bore a new natural gas pipeline under Interstate 20, authorities said.

DeKalb County police spokeswoman Shiera Campbell said a pipeline being filled with concrete ruptured, and the concrete was forced upward.

The pressure (caused) the pavement to rise and break apart, creating a mound as high as six feet (two meters) or more in the High Occupancy Vehicle lane.

To decommission: "a pipeline is filled with concrete". Natural gas pipelines are welded metal pipe.. Pressure testing then is commenced using water, to see if there are any leaks.

If they were decommissioning (to abandon) an OLD natural gas pipeline, they could fill it with concrete (under-pressure).

Thoughts: Possibly then in the issue of the rupture under I-20 in Georgia, there was a residual something in the line. Seems it should have been water pressure tested first to see if it was corroded and damaged, prior to putting high pressure concrete.. Water pressure testing is the recommended procedure to see if there will be a pipeline issue before (oil or gas) is placed in the line.

Possibly crews nicked the decommissioned line when trenching for the new line. Data is sketchy at the moment as to how it happened.

Atlanta Gas Light company spokeswoman Melissa Clontz said, "This incident was not caused by and did not involve the release of natural gas."

Pipelines then still remain a hot topic.