Mar 23, 2016 2 min read

Representatives of Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania rolled out a $2.6 million East Washington project – part of a statewide effort to update aging pipelines – and fielded questions Wednesday at First Christian Church.

Temporary road and parking restrictions will be in place through mid-fall while main lines are replaced.

All indoor meters will be placed outside and customer-owned service lines will be upgraded in order to comply with federal guidelines.

“The good news is they will be replaced at no cost to you,” said Jennifer DuBois, director of communications.

Preliminary work began in January. Crews will upgrade the main lines first, then return to work on service lines and meters.

Crews will work on Christman, Hanna, Hemlock, Lang, LeMoyne, Moffat, Moore, Rock, South Wade and Stewart avenues, and East Beau, East Maiden, East Wheeling, Houston, Lockhart and Thayer streets and Fox Lane.

DuBois said more than 400 customers will be affected.

Work will be performed from 7 a.m. to about 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with some Saturday work expected. DuBois said residents will be notified of parking restrictions at least three days in advance. The plan is to keep affected roads open and control traffic with flaggers. She asked that residents slow down and obey posted signs through work areas.

Gas service will be temporarily interrupted for several hours in order to transfer to the new pipeline. Crews will notify customers in person or with a door hanger at least three days before interruptions. Workers also will need to access customers’ homes to restore gas service and perform safety checks.

DuBois stressed that all employees and contractors have photo identification badges and urged customers to check credentials before allowing workers into their homes.

Gary Walz, construction leader, assured residents that yards, sidewalks, driveways, roads and landscaping will be restored to pre-work condition when upgrades are complete.

“You’re going to be pleased with it when we’re done,” Walz said.

For project updates, visit www.ColumbiaGasPa.com. To obtain employee verification, call 1-888-460-4332.