University of Minnesota Minneapolis suffers second sewer gas leak in weeks
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Fire officials have lifted an evacuation order issued Tuesday for several buildings on the University of Minnesota’s Minneapolis campus due to a suspected gas leak.
The Minneapolis Fire Department said it’s safe to return to buildings and areas that were ordered cleared about noon, although several streets could remain closed for an extended time.
Officials had ordered the evacuation of Williams Arena, Huntington Bank Stadium, McNamara Alumni Center, the Aquatics Center, Recreation Center, Mariucci arena and the Maturi Sports Pavilion. People were also advised to stay away from the area on the East Bank campus.
Crews responded to a hazardous materials call from contractors working on sewer tunnels in the area after the gas monitor alarms sounded and there were signs and smells of petroleum, authorities said.
This is the second gas leak to impact the U of M campus in recent weeks. On June 30, there was a fire and gas spill in a nearby sewer line, which blew manhole covers out of the street along University Avenue.
Related News
From Archive

- Contractor killed in San Francisco trench collapse, prompts investigation
- HDD mud spills force authorities to halt wastewater pipeline construction in NY’s Genesee County
- Inside infrastructure: GIS offers best way to improve underground facility maps
- Groundbreaking advances made with EPBM tunnel constructed below sea level
- Russ Ford named 2024 MVP of underground infrastructure industry
- Geotechnical Conditions And How They Relate To Pipe Bursting
- HDD mud spills force authorities to halt wastewater pipeline construction in NY’s Genesee County
- Editor’s Log: Who’s behind those pearls of wisdom (or that poison pen)?
- CGA’s DIRT report correlates infrastructure investment with increased excavation damage
- California approves PG&E rate increase to underground power lines for wildfire prevention
Comments