Work On Chatham Gas Line Could Last Five Months, Officials Say

CHATHAM, NJ — PSEG is undergoing a five-month system reinforcement project in Chatham Borough, which will work to connect two existing gas mains within the borough.

The work, which began this week, will connect the 20-inch gas main on Woodland Road and the 20-inch existing gas main on Main Street with a new 12-inch main, according to Gas Construction Supervisor Eric Adams.

"This is not only going to be a benefit for Chatham Borough, but all the surrounding areas," Adams said.

PSEG Regional Public Affairs Manager Everton Scott told the borough council on Monday, April 24, that the gas company has been running tests on the gas pressure in Chatham and surrounding communities.

These tests revealed a potential future drop in gas pressure, and Scott stated that unless something was done, there might not be enough gas in the pipes to heat Chatham homes during the winter.

The project will assist Chatham in accommodating population growth as well as future growth in gas users.

"This is not just Chatham. It's Livingston, it's Chatham Borough, Chatham Township and all the way over to Summit. We are looking to reinforce the backbone of the system, and so we are going across town," Scott said.

There will be no pipe replacement, but PSEG crews will be adding new piping to the system.

The project will have a minimal impact on the resident, Adams said. "We don't need to get into your home for this. We are pretty much just bringing gas from one area to another area."

PSEG has stated that they will work with the local police department to manage any necessary road closures during construction. Adams clarified that school buses, garbage pickup trucks and local residents will be able to use the roads.

The construction work will go around the local schools, officials said.

Mayor Thaddeus Kobylarz also stated that the necessary work will have no impact on any residents' property and will be contained within the street.

"Everything is going to be between curb to curb," Adams added.

The roadways that will be affected by construction include:

• Woodland Road
• Lafayette Avenue
• Chatham Street
• Fairmount Avenue
• Red Road
• Hillside Avenue
• Myrtle Avenue
• Minton Avenue
• Main Street

All roads that will be disturbed as a result of the project will be repaved by PSEG, officials said.