1.3 Miles Of Gas Lines To Be Replaced In Madison

MADISON, N.J. – More than a mile’s worth of natural gas lines will be replaced in Madison thanks to a new restructuring effort by utility provider PSE&G.

The new pipes are being installed to improve reliability, reduce the possibility of methane leaks, and enable the installation of excess flow valves on service lines, the company said. The valves will dramatically reduce gas flow in the event a pipe is damaged.

“The investments PSE&G is making to upgrade its aging gas infrastructure will benefit all Madison residents by ensuring continued safe and reliable service,” said Madison Mayor Robert Conley in a statement. “PSE&G is coordinating with the local police who will be directing traffic around work areas. We appreciate the patience of our residents while PSE&G performs this important work in our town.”

Work will be conducted on Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., conditions permitting. Work is expected to be complete by June 2016, while paving and street restoration will be complete in November 2016.

The streets receiving gas line fixes are:

• Broadway, between West End Avenue and Florham Park Border
• Central Avenue, between Ridgedale Avenue and Fairview Avenue
• East Street, between North Street and Anthony Drive
• Fairview Avenue, between Ridgedale Avenue and Central Avenue
• Fairview Avenue, between Ridgedale Avenue and Greenwood Avenue
• Greenwood Avenue, between Lorraine Road and Hunter Drive
• Hoyt Street, between Fairview Avenue and Central Avenue
• Lorraine Road, between Central Avenue and Florham Park Border

According to PSE&G, here’s how the work will be completed:

• PSE&G crews will dig trenches, primarily in road surfaces, and lay new pipes block by block, in order to limit the impacted areas on any given day. There will be short-term road closures and detours during construction. Local police will direct vehicle and pedestrian traffic. At the end of each workday, the trenches will be filled in, and plates secured, on any open areas so people can safely drive and walk.
• After the new gas mains are installed, PSE&G will need to access customers’ homes to connect their service lines and meter. PSE&G will contact homeowners to arrange a date and time to do the connections. During the connection work, customers will be without gas service for approximately four hours. PSE&G will relight all appliances and make sure they are safely working before leaving a home.
• In most cases, PSE&G will be able to install the new pipes without digging in lawns. Lawn areas, shrubs or other vegetation affected by the work will be restored. Grass areas will be raked and seeded.
• PSE&G will repair roads with temporary pavement until the ground settles. This takes about 45 to 90 days, depending on the weather and soil conditions. PSE&G then restores the roads with permanent paving in accordance with town ordinance and paving requirements.
• PSE&G crews will use work area protection including traffic cones, utility work signs, and barriers to ensure the job is done safely. The utility reminds motorists to slow down and follow detour signs when driving through the construction area.