Pacific Heights street collapses due to massive pipe outburst on Monday, Sep 11. The large rupture of this 75 year old pipe of Union and Green street caused many delays in Pacific Heights, as it caused heavy traffic and altered bus routes.
Muni bus routes were disrupted, as the intersection on Union and Green street is a location for both the twenty two bus and the forty five bus. Students in our school community rely on the Muni for faster transportation, rather than walking up some to the steepest hills in the city, according to sophomore Adania Cooper.
“It was really inconvenient for me when I had to cross campuses, especially since there was no warning that the bus routes had changed,” Cooper said. “I was really surprised to hear about the massive destruction that the pipe had caused”.
This pipe break reveals how plumbing infrastructure in the city is sometimes proven to be unreliable. These major pipe breaks take days to repair and leave lasting impacts to those in our community.
I was not surprised that it actually happened,” teacher Jeanne Asdourian said. “Though, I was very surprised by its huge rupture and impact that it had in the street. I do believe that San Francisco does not take very good care of their infrastructure”.
Surrounding small businesses were temporarily affected by this pipe break. Employees at Union Street Coffee roasters – a small business on Union Street, were astonished to find several inches of water pooling on the ground, according to junior Maddy Aldecoa.
“Obviously it’s a concern for the community, depending on how quickly the sinkhole can be repaired,” said Aldecoa. “I hope for a quick return to the small businesses and everyone who is affected by it”.
This pipe break is an example of the ancient plumbing in San Francisco. City residents are becoming more aware of their need to advance and repair their plumbing and electricity underground.
“I hope the city is able to create a better and more reliable plumbing system,” Cooper said. “The plumbing and access to clean water is very important for the health and safety of everyone”.
