Aging Gas Pipes To Be Upgraded In New Providence

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ — Almost four miles of old aging gas pipes in New Providence will be replaced by new piping by Public Service Electric & Gas Company (PSE&G) beginning this month.

Work on the 3.7 miles of gas pipes will take place Monday through Saturday between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., weather permitting.

The gas main replacement portion of the work is expected to be complete by September. The paving and street restoration is expected to be completed in October.

“These upgrades are part of PSE&G’s three-year program to replace 510 miles of aging gas infrastructure throughout New Jersey,” said Joe Forline, vice president of gas operations for PSE&G. “After decades of being in the ground, old cast iron pipes can crack and unprotected steel may corrode. The new durable, plastic pipes will improve reliability, reduce the possibility of leaks, and ensure the continued safety of gas service for customers.”

Residents will be notified when work begins in their area by mail, door hangers and social media.

Here is a list of streets where work will take place:

• Alden Rd from Pittsford Way to Sherwood DR
• Ashwood RD from Elkwood Ave to End
• Barberry LN from Pleasantview Ave to 15' west of Hickson DR
• Central Ave from Livingston Ave to 80' west of Livingston Ave
• Central Ave from Livingston Ave to Salem RD
• Columbus Ave from Livingston Ave to End
• Deerfield Rd from Woodland Rd to End
• Dunlap St from 250' west of Potter St to end
• Dunlap St from Potter St to 250' west of Potter St
• Elkwood Ave from Pittsford Way to Sherwood DR
• Elkwood Ave from Pittsford Way to 85' north of Pine Way
• Elkwood Ave from Sherwood DR to End
• Grant Ave from Livingston Ave to 630' east of Livingston Ave
• Greenwood Rd from Woodland Rd to Livingston Ave
• Greenwood Rd from Livingston Ave to Salem Rd
• Hickson DR from Pleasantview Ave to 28' east of Pleasantview Ave
• Livingston Ave from Central Ave to Greenwood Rd
• Livingston Ave from Greenwood Rd to End
• Livingston Ave from Marion Ave to Central Ave
• Maple St from Springfield Ave to 1835' south of Springfield Ave
• Marion Ave from Livingston Ave to 35' east of South St
• Old Springfield Ave from Springfield Ave to End
• OverHill RD from Tall Oaks DR to 16' south of Oldoak DR
• Pittsford Way from Springfield Ave to 60' north of Springfield Ave
• Pittsford Way from NP-9 to Sherwood DR
• Pittsford Way from Sherwood DR to Elkwood Ave
• Pleasantview Ave from Springfield Ave to Reg# NP-7
• Pleasantview Ave from Springfield Ave to 95' south of E 5th St
• Pleasantview Ave / E 4th St from 90' south of E 5th St to 327 east of Livingston Ave
• Potter St from Dunlap St to Marion Ave
• Potter St from Columbus Ave to 75' north of Columbus Ave
• Primrose DR from Barberry LN to 56' south of Barberry LN
• Salem Rd from Central Ave to Woodland RD
• Sherwood DR from Elkwood Ave to Pittsford Way
• Sherwood DR from Ashwood RD to Elkwood Ave
• Springfield Ave from Constantine Pl to Maple St
• Tall Oaks DR from OverHill RD to 150' west of Acorn DR
• Verona RD from Central Ave to Woodland RD
• Woodland Rd from South St to Greenwood Rd

How the work will be done

Before construction can start, the utility tests soil and digs test holes to verify the location of existing gas pipe. When this preliminary work is complete, PSE&G will begin installing the new gas lines.

• To upgrade the gas lines, PSE&G digs trenches, primarily in road surfaces, and lays new pipes block by block to minimize disruptions. There will be short-term road closures and detours during construction. Local police direct vehicle and pedestrian traffic. At the end of each workday, the trenches are filled in and protective plates secured on any open areas so people can safely drive and walk. Customers always have access to their driveways.
• When possible, the utility does not dig on properties. If PSE&G does have to dig on a customer’s property, the utility restores any disturbance after the service line is installed. Grass areas are repaired and seeded, and concrete or asphalt openings are patched until final restoration work is scheduled.
• After construction, a PSE&G technician needs to access the customer’s home to connect the service line and gas meter to the new gas main. The utility contacts homeowners to arrange a date and time to do the work. During this reconnection, customers can expect to be without gas service for about 4 hours.
• If a gas meter is inside, PSE&G relocates it to the outside of the customer’s home or business. A technician relights all appliances and makes sure they are working safely before leaving a home.
• When work is finished, the utility repairs roads with temporary pavement until the ground settles. This takes about 45 to 90 days. PSE&G then restores the roads with permanent paving in accordance with town ordinance and paving requirements.

Customers can find more information at www.pseg.com/gaswork.

(Image via PSE&G)

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