Senators Weigh In On Merrimack Valley Road Repair Dispute

ANDOVER, MA -- A dispute between Columbia Gas of Massachusetts and officials from Andover, North Andover and Lawrence over who should pay for fixing 70 miles of roads that were torn up during the recovery effort following the Sept. 13 gas explosions has drawn the attention of both U.S. Senators from Massachusetts. In a letter released Friday, Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Edward Markey (D-MA) called on the utility and its parent, NiSource Inc., to make the repairs that could cost as much as $220 million.

"Columbia Gas and NiSource must provide reassurance that all of the municipalities’ requests will be met, in order to have a chance of rebuilding trust while rebuilding infrastructure," they wrote. "We ask that you work with the leaders of the communities of North Andover, Andover and Lawrence and communicate your commitment to make them whole as soon as possible."

Last month officials in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover said they wanted "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. In addition to the high cost, the work could take as long as four years.

"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.

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File photo by Dave Copeland/Patch.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).