UGI Utilities will be replacing miles of pipeline in the Lehigh Valley between now and the end of September.
The company on Monday provided a list of streets either scheduled for work or under construction in Valley cities and other communities. UGI has budgeted more than $276 million to replace natural gas mains and associated facilities, as well as complete a number of system enhancement projects.
“UGI remains committed to enhancing the safety and reliability of our infrastructure,” Tim Angstadt, UGI vice president of operations, said in a news release. “These infrastructure projects ensure our system provides safe and reliable service for UGI customers and for the many communities we serve.”
Approximately 70 miles of cast iron and bare steel mains are targeted for replacement in UGI’s fiscal year plan, which ends Sept. 30, UGI said. The new mains will be constructed of contemporary materials such as high-density plastic or protected steel.
The replacement projects are complemented by a number of UGI capital projects, the company said, such as pressure reinforcements to improve system reliability, service line and meter replacements, and regulator station improvements.
The company has accelerated replacing aging pipes or other materials after a Feb. 9, 2011, gas explosion in Allentown that killed five people and leveled half a block of row houses. Investigators determined the blast likely was the result of weather-related cracking in a nearly century-old cast iron pipe. Since 2011, UGI has retired more than 800 miles of outdated pipelines.
The company said its projects are scheduled for completion by Sept. 30. The list is subject to change based on weather, municipal roadwork schedules and other factors, UGI said. Customers will receive notice regarding construction schedules.
For more information, go to ugi.com/construction, or call 800-276-2722. The Lancaster County utility, which is a subsidiary of UGI Corp., sells natural gas to about 700,000 customers in 45 Pennsylvania counties.
Here are the area projects UGI plans:
Morning Call journalist Anthony Salamone can be reached at asalamone@mcall.com.