Source: cleveland.com
WESTLAKE, Ohio — Columbia Gas of Ohio will spend about $3.8 million to replace natural gas pipelines in parts of Westlake.
Work is scheduled on Center Ridge Road, between Columbia Road and Health Campus Drive, and south of Center Ridge on at least portions of Canterbury Road, Maple Ridge Road, Columbia Road, Walter Road and Hall Drive.
Amy Koncelik, a Columbia Gas spokeswoman, said preliminary work will begin in the area south of Center Ridge in mid- to late-July. The last phase on Center Ridge probably will begin early next year, depending on weather, she said.
About 500 residents will be affected by the project, which involves replacing roughly 28,000 feet of pipe.
A public meeting to discuss the project with residents will be held on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road. Interested residents also can get updates and view pictures during the project by liking Facebook.com/Columbia.Gas.Westlake.Project. Information also is available by calling 800-344-4077.
Residents will not be charged for the pipeline replacement because the cost of the ongoing effort throughout Columbia’s territory is shared by all customers. Koncelik said the company has been spending about $160 million a year over the last six years making infrastructure upgrades in Ohio communities.
She said that like bridges and roadways, pipes transporting natural gas can wear out. They will be replaced with longer-lasting plastic pipes.
Koncelik said the preliminary work will include right-of-way surveys and marking underground utilities. During the installation, she said, Columbia will try to keep at least one lane of traffic open, using flaggers to direct drivers.
The spokeswoman said that the company wants to be sensitive to all the other construction going on in Westlake — most notably in the area around Crocker Park.
As part of the project, Columbia Gas will replace the main line that usually runs beneath a street and the service line that runs from the main line to the meter on a home or business. Any indoor gas meters will be relocated to the outside of the building for better access.
Koncelik said Columbia Gas will restore any landscaping disturbed as part of the project.