News
Release
Vectren Corporation One Vectren Square Evansville, IN 47708
March 16, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contact: Natalie Hedde, 812-491-5105 or [email protected]
Gas pipeline upgrades to begin in Columbus
Columbus, Ind. - Contract crews working for Vectren Energy Delivery (Vectren) will soon begin replacing gas mains and service lines in Columbus 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 Columbus, $1.4 million will go toward retiring 2.5 miles of gas main and more than 240 service lines in 2015. Since 2008, four miles have been replaced within the city. Vectren intends to replace a total of 14 miles in Columbus over the next several years.
"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," said Mike Roeder, Vectren Energy Delivery of Indiana-North president. "These infrastructure enhancements are vital to meeting federal requirements and ensuring the continued safety of our system for decades to come."
Streets affected during the projects include: Franklin Street, 16th Street, 17th Street, Lawton Street, Sycamore Street, Pearl Street, Lafayette Avenue, Pennsylvania Street, Caldwell Boulevard, 19th Street, 20th Street, 21st Street, 22nd Street, 23rd Street and Keller Street. Visit the Active Projects tab on www.vectren.com/pipelinereplacement to view maps of the streets in Columbus 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" 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," said Roeder. "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 Columbus residents to please keep the following in mind:
Please exercise caution when driving through the construction zones.
We urge residents and their children to keep a safe distance away from any work zones.
Columbus 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. For more information about Vectren's gas infrastructure modernization program, visit Vectren.com/modernization.
About Vectren
Vectren Corporation (NYSE: VVC) is an energy holding company headquartered in Evansville, Ind.
Vectren's energy delivery subsidiaries provide gas and/or electricity to more than 1 million customers in adjoining service territories that cover nearly two-thirds of Indiana and west central Ohio. Vectren's nonutility subsidiaries and affiliates currently offer energy-related products and services to customers throughout the U.S. These include infrastructure services and energy services. To learn more about Vectren, visit www.vectren.com.
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