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An entrance to the Herald Square subway station, where a horrible smell caused by a cut sewer line has tormented riders for weeks. (Wikipedia Commons)

(Wikipedia Commons)

A rancid odor that's been irritating straphangers at one of New York City's busiest subway stations for weeks should soon be eliminated.

It turns out that the rotten egg smell was caused by a cut sewer line a couple of blocks south of the Herald Square station, according to the Wall Street Journal's website.

The owner of 876 Sixth Avenue, a building near the corner of 31st Street, has been ordered by Department of Environmental Protection officials to repair the line. He told WSJ.com a contractor or utility company cut the line and caused the sewage leak without his knowledge. The owner also threatened to sue the person responsible.

Previously, Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials said that subway trains were bringing the awful scent into the station.

The 33rd Street PATH station connects to the Herald Square station. The B, D, F, M, N, Q and R subways stop the station, located where Broadway intersects with Sixth Avenue at 34th Street.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.