Apr 25, 2013 2 min read

CANONSBURG – Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania announced Wednesday 13 pipeline improvement projects in Southwestern Pennsylvania, including five in Washington County. The Southpointe-based company said the work will begin in the second quarter of this year.

According to a news release, Columbia said it will spend more than $16 million for more than 15 miles of natural gas infrastructure upgrades in Allegheny, Beaver and Washington counties.

The work is part of more than $140 million the company said it will invest in 2013 to replace and upgrade infrastructure across its Pennsylvania service territory.

Many of thee projects will upgrade aging bare steel and cast iron pipe with a modern plastic natural gas delivery system. As an added safety measure, most residential and commercial service line upgrades will feature an excess flow valve, which automatically shuts off the natural gas service in the event of a large pressure differential, indicative of a leak or damage.

In addition to seven projects in Allegheny County and one in Beaver County, the five projects in Washington County include 5,300 feet of pipe in California Borough at California University of Pennsylvania; 7,335 feet of pipe on Elberta Drive in South Strabane Township; 9,640 feet of pipe in Wolfdale, Canton Township; 13,295 feet of pipe on Jefferson Avenue, Canton Township; and 6,265 feet of pipe in McDonald Borough.

Projects will run through this year, with different start and anticipated completion dates. Columbia, which said more detailed information will be provided to the communities and customers involved closer to the start of a project, said some projects may require temporary lane closures or possible road detours.