Officials, Columbia Gas In Dispute Over Extent Of Repairs

ANDOVER, MA -- Repairing the 70 miles of roads that were torn up to replace gas mains in Andover, North Andover and Lawrence following the Sept. 13 gas explosions could cost as much as $220 million and take as long as four years. Compounding the problem is a dispute between officials in the three communities and Columbia Gas of Massachusetts over who will pay for those repairs.

According to the Eagle-Tribune, officials in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover want "curb-to-curb" repairs to roadways. But Columbia Gas maintains it is only responsible for the patchwork repairs it typically performs after gas main work. "This is not a negotiation of 'maybe we'll meet in the middle.' They have a responsibility, whatever the number is, to do it," said Daniel Rivera, mayor of Lawrence, where 34 miles of roads were dug up. In Andover, 20.5 miles of roads were affected, as well as 15.8 miles of roads in North Andover.

For more on this story, see the Eagle-Tribune. Never miss another local news story: Get free local news alerts right to your inbox.

Patch file photo.