Pressure on to replace gas lines
N.Y. team to oversee work in Lawrence area
A team of inspectors from New York traveled to the Merrimack Valley to oversee the replacement of 48 miles of gas lines in the next seven weeks, according to Gov. Charlie Baker’s office.
About 60 Columbia Gas crews, comprised of more than 240 workers, have begun digging up streets in the Merrimack Valley to start intensive reconstruction after gas line over-pressurization caused explosions earlier this month.
The effort will ultimately replace the cast iron and bare steel distribution system with state-of-the-art infrastructure and safety features such as excess flow valves that automatically shut off gas flow if a service line is damaged or broken.
The five inspectors from New York join five Public Utility Engineers from the commonwealth to assist with the ongoing work in the Greater Lawrence area, according to Baker spokesman Brendan Moss.
“Public safety is the top priority for the Baker-Polito administration and local officials from Andover, North Andover and Lawrence and as the work to recover from the disasters moves forward,” Moss said. “The utilities’ work will be carefully monitored by state and federal regulators.”
The town of North Andover hired its own owner’s project manager to supervise the gas main replacement and repair work, according to Town Manager Andrew Maylor, to “protect the interests of our residents and business owners.” Permits will have to be issued, Maylor said, but it is unclear if those will be individual or a single comprehensive permit.
“The specifics of the plan are being developed as the resources that will perform the work are added,” Maylor said. “I would expect more detail in the coming days.”
Andover has done something similar, according to Town Manager Andrew Flanagan, by retaining the services of environmental partners to serve as the town’s own project manager to oversee and inspect all the construction work being done across town. He said they expect to use a blanket permit for the project as it applies to all construction associated with the restoration of gas services.
“The town is working with Columbia Gas to finalize what the construction plan will be for the long run,” Flanagan said. “I expect that we’ll have a draft within the next day or so.”
Lawrence officials could not be reached for comment.