Natural Gas System Upgrade Project Begins in Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Work is underway on an upgrade construction project of the gas distribution system in Middletown. Eversource is investing $421,000 in the project, officials announced this week.

The project includes replacing more than 1,400 feet of existing cast iron and bare steel gas lines with newer plastic pipe – which is safer, more durable and better able to handle fluctuations in underground temperatures, according to Eversource.

Since 2012, Eversource has replaced more than 120 miles of older gas lines around the state.

“These investments allow us to further modernize the gas distribution system, minimizing repairs and any service interruptions,” Al Marsocci, Vice President of Gas Operations at Eversource, said in a news release. “Proactively upgrading the system helps to ensure the continued safe and reliable delivery of natural gas to our 226,000 customers in Connecticut.”

The Middletown upgrade project is underway, with construction crews working between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Work will be done along Cross Street and Fountain Avenue.

“Eversource communicates with community leaders and customers where work is being done to minimize the impact to traffic and coordinate with other roadwork happening in the town,” according to the news release. “Drivers may experience delays due to alternating one-way traffic.

“Customers may experience a short disruption to their natural gas service when the new line is being activated and they will be notified in advance by letter, phone or an in-person visit. This gas line improvement project is expected to be complete by early May.”

Photo via Eversource