Columbia Gas of Virginia Improving Underground Natural Gas Infrastructure in Portsmouth
3/29/2010 8:25:28 PM
For Release:
March 29, 2010
Contact: Bob Innes
(804) 768-6410
(804) 512-1425 - cellular
rinnes@nisource.com
Columbia Gas of Virginia Improving Underground Natural Gas Infrastructure in Portsmouth
Nearly 5 miles of new facilities supports system growth
CHESTER, VA. – March 29, 2010 – Columbia Gas of Virginia (Columbia) has started construction of nearly five miles of underground natural gas facilities required to support the growing demand for natural gas in Chesapeake, Suffolk and Portsmouth. When completed in June 2010, Columbia will have invested nearly $8 million in the Churchland area while enhancing the reliability of its natural gas distribution system.
The natural gas infrastructure project begins near the Craney Island main gate and will follow Cedar Lane to River Shore Drive, it moves onto Swannanoa Drive to Twin Pines Road, and then turns on Towne Point Road continuing along Magnolia Drive. From Magnolia Drive the project will cross under the Western Freeway (Route 164) and continue along Forest Haven Lane to Western Branch Boulevard (Route 17) before turning on to Old College Drive and connect into an existing Columbia facility. The project will pass near Churchland High School, Churchland Junior High and Churchland Academy Elementary School.
The natural gas pipeline installation will be performed by Mid-Ohio Pipeline under direct supervision of Columbia. Mid-Ohio Pipeline has a proven record in providing quality natural gas installations and each of their employees must be operator qualified to work on natural gas facilities.
Columbia will advise all residents along the construction path prior to working near their property. The infrastructure improvement project will result in some traffic congestion along the construction path and will require some residents to not park in the street during the short period that the construction occurs along their property. The work will be performed primarily in road right-of-way and any disturbed land or pavement will be restored after the construction is finished.