Beaverton resident raises safety concerns after gas leak at local waterline construction site

A Beaverton resident told the City Council during the visitor-comments period that a gas leak at a construction site tied to the NTLI waterline project caused an evacuation and other neighborhood disruptions, and she asked the city to require improved coordination between the contractor and utilities.

Giselle Garrity, who identified her address near 170 Third Avenue and Lisa Street, told the council that Emery and Sons is the construction contractor for the city’s NTLI waterline placement. Garrity said a gas leak on March 19 led to the evacuation of several neighbors for about two-and-a-half hours and that on March 20 residents lost Wi‑Fi. She said the leak required immediate evacuation “and when you're evacuated for a gas leak, you can't take your car. You can't start your car. You can't use your phone. You can't do anything.”

Garrity said a foreman at the site initially told her the leak was not the contractor’s fault and blamed utility markings, but later she was told the leak resulted from contractor carelessness. She asked the city to convene Emery and Sons and the utilities to explain the incident and to ensure the contractor digs “safely and accurately.” She also described ongoing neighborhood disruption from repeated digging and patching of holes along the street.

Garrity said she had spoken with the project engineer and that the engineer “agrees,” and she urged the council to hold the contractor and utilities accountable for safer work practices.

City staff acknowledged her comments during the meeting and councilors asked whether city staff had been in contact with the resident; a councilor noted staff follow-up had occurred. Councilors did not take formal action during the meeting on Garrity’s complaint; staff indicated they have been in contact with the resident and would continue follow-up outside the meeting.