Gas pipeline upgrades continuing in Greencastle

Contract crews working for Vectren Energy Delivery are replacing gas mains and service lines in Greencastle as part of the company’s pipeline replacement program, which is a multi-year program to replace about 1,300 miles of bare steel and cast-iron pipeline infrastructure throughout Indiana.

In Greencastle, nearly $500,000 will go toward retiring more than one mile of gas main and more than 30 lines in 2018.

The project began March 6 along East Franklin Street and is expected to continue through May, work that will involve 1.28 miles of pipeline being retired and 34 services replaced locally, Vectren reported in a project update.

Since 2008, nearly three miles have been retired within the city. Vectren intends to retire a total of eight miles in Greencastle over the next several years.

“To ensure the continued reliability of our natural gas pipeline systems and service, our program to replace essentially all of our bare steel and cast iron pipeline infrastructure carries on,” Mike Roeder, Vectren Energy Delivery of Indiana-North president, said. “As we continue to modernize our pipeline infrastructure, we remain focused on strengthening our system to not only meet federal requirements, but ensure the safe delivery of natural gas service to our customers for decades to come.”

In addition to East Franklin Street, Greencastle streets affected during the project include South Indiana Street, from south of Hanna Street to roughly the DePauw University Lilly Center, along with Zinc Mill Road from State Road 240 to South Street and Tennessee Street between Zinc Mill Road and State Road 240.

Visit www.vectren.com/pipelinereplacement to view an interactive map displaying all streets in Greencastle where construction will take place in 2018.

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 2-8 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 required work. Vectren reminds Greencastle residents to exercise caution when driving through the construction zones and keep children a safe distance away from any work zones.

Greencastle is one of nearly 75 cities in Indiana undergoing this type of pipeline replacement. Since 2008, nearly 480 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.