Pratt Institute Construction Project Extended for Repairs

A construction project on Willoughby Avenue at Pratt Institute turned into a longer-than-expected process in recent weeks. As part of a redesign of the campus fiber optic infrastructure, the school was installing a pipe between two buildings. During construction, the contractor hired by Pratt hit a Con Edison high pressure line, an underground line used to provide utility service, and Con Edison had to be called in for repairs.

“These lines, these high transmission lines, have oil in them, to keep the line cool,” said a Con Edison worker. “They’re called oil-o-static lines. If you do damage there, you’re not going to get service to the substations.” The Con Edison worker confirmed that no oil had leaked from the line.

“We are excavating various parts of the Brooklyn campus to install a pipe needed to complete a comprehensive redesign and upgrade of Pratt’s critical fiber optic infrastructure,” said Jolene Travis, the News and Editorial Director of Pratt’s communications office. “During last week’s excavation, we learned that additional repair work was needed and, due to the technical nature of the service, Con Ed is on campus facilitating that process.”

Travis said that the project’s completion date would be hard to predict. The Con Edison worker estimated that repairs to the high pressure line should be done within the week.