Gas line struck at Hard Rock construction site

Crews had to be evacuated Sept. 11 from the Hard Rock construction site in Stateline when a gas line was struck. Photo/Eric Guevin

Updated 12:49pm:

Construction crews at what will be Lake Tahoe Hard Rock Hotel hit a gas line this morning.

The Stateline site was evacuated Sept. 11 about 9am, according to Tahoe Douglas Fire Marshal Eric Guevin. He told Lake Tahoe News there were no injuries. Doors to the casino were closed off and the gas was subsequently shut off.

Traffic on Highway 50 in front of the casinos was being diverted around the loop road. The highway opened about an hour later.

The old Horizon hotel-casino is being gutted, remodeled and rebranded. Brothers Jon and David Park are putting $60 million into the property.

However, this is the second construction incident in less than two weeks. On Aug. 29 a worker was trapped in a piece of equipment when the porte cochere came crashing down.

“The contractors and subcontractors followed all federal regulations, including the ‘call before you dig’ practice,” Ellyn Morrill, spokewoman for Hard Rock, said in a statement at 12:45pm. “Property officials worked with local authorities and the fire marshal to ensure the safety of all resort employees and surrounding businesses. “Southwest Gas is capping the line and all construction crews and employees have re-entered the building to continue with the renovation of the world-class gaming resort.”

— Lake Tahoe News staff report