Vectren to upgrade gas lines in Greencastle

Sunday, May 3, 2015

Contract crews working for Vectren Energy Delivery will soon begin replacing gas mains and service lines in Greencastle as part of the company's pipeline replacement program.

About 1,300 miles of bare steel and cast iron pipeline infrastructure throughout Indiana is scheduled to be replaced as part of the multi-year program.

In Greencastle, $135,000 will go toward retiring three-tenths of a mile of gas main and more than 20 service lines in 2015.

Since 2008, nearly one mile of Vectren infrastructure has been replaced within Greencastle. Vectren intends to replace a total of nearly three miles in Greencastle over the next several years.

Greencastle is one of nearly 75 cities in Indiana undergoing this type of pipeline replacement. Since 2008, more than 250 miles of gas mains have been replaced in the Vectren North territory, which has led to a reduction in leak calls and natural gas emissions from the distribution system.

"To ensure the continued reliability of our natural gas pipeline systems and service, Vectren has undertaken a program to replace essentially all of our bare steel and cast iron pipeline infrastructure in addition to other improvements to our natural gas delivery system," Vectren Energy Delivery of Indiana-North President Mike Roeder said. "These infrastructure enhancements are vital to meeting federal requirements and ensuring the continued safety of our system for decades to come."

Streets affected during this project include College Avenue, Columbia, Spring and Liberty streets.

Persons visit the Active Projects tab on www.vectren.com/pipelinereplacement to view a map of the streets in Greencastle where construction will take place in 2015.

In most cases, a polyethylene (plastic) system is being installed to replace the current bare steel and cast iron gas pipeline system. First, the gas main, which is a gas pipeline that ranges in size from 2 to 8 inches and is often underneath the street or sidewalk, will be replaced within the right-of-way, and then the service lines running directly to homes and businesses will be replaced. Upon completion of the project, affected yards, sidewalks and streets will be restored.

"Construction for these pipeline projects may take several weeks to complete, and times may vary based on the size of the project, weather, ground surface/soil and other situations that may arise," Roeder said. "Please be assured that Vectren and its contractors will make every effort to complete each project as quickly as possible and minimize impact to customers and the community."

Prior to service replacement, a Vectren representative will contact customers to provide an overview of the required work.

Vectren reminds Greencastle residents to exercise caution when driving through the construction zones and to keep children a safe distance away from any work zones.

For more information about Vectren's gas infrastructure modernization program, visit Vectren.com/modernization.

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