Rockies Express Pipeline on target

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Representatives from Rockies Express Pipeline gave Putnam County commissioners an update earlier this week on the progress of the project.

"We expect to have gas delivery to just west of Bainbridge by April 1. Right now we have over 1,000 miles in service," said government and community relations manager Alan Fore.

The Bainbridge compressor station is 75 percent finished, with the mechanics more than 80 percent done.

"The pipeline is 90 percent done, but there has been very little testing performed yet," Fore said. "The site reclamation has been slow due to the weather. When spring gets here, we'll be able to step it up."

Commissioners were more interested in the repair of roads in the county where the pipeline has crossed.

"What are you doing about fixing the roads?" asked Commissioner Gene Beck. "I know we've both taken a lot of calls and we need to do something."

Fore replied that some gravel had been used already to fill in holes and bad spots. Dave Sutherlin with the Putnam County Highway asked Fore to consider using a different grade of gravel.

"If it has a lot of limestone in it, it doesn't last," said Commissioner Jim Baird. "The most important thing is to just make sure they are back to here they were before you started."

Fore agreed to have a discussion with county highway officials to determine what grade of stone should be used as well as what other repairs needed to be completed.

"Whatever damages we caused, we'll fix," Fore assured the commissioners.

The Rockies Express Pipeline (REX) is a 1,679 mile-long pipeline system that will transport natural gas from Colorado and Wyoming to markets in the Midwest and Eastern United States. Part of the REX -East project runs across the northern portion of Putnam County and includes a Compressor Station west of Bainbridge.

More information about the project is available at www.rexpipeline.com.

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