Workers position a segment of 24-inch pipe along Fairview Avenue in Brentwood this week. The four-mile project will impact traffic in the city until fall.
Photo by Richard Wisdom
Photo by Richard Wisdom
PG&E has begun work on about four miles of natural gas transmission lines along Fairview Avenue. Blue lines indicate sections of 24-inch diameter pipe being replaced, and red indicates sections being left in place, requiring no trenching. The work should be completed by late fall.
Graphic courtesy of the City of Brentwood
Graphic courtesy of the City of Brentwood
PG&E spokesman Tom Guarino said the project is part of the company’s Pipeline Safety Enhancement Program, created in response to the 2010 San Bruno pipeline disaster that killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes. The entire project consists of thousands of miles of pipeline across the state, he added.
“Wherever possible, we’re also trying to reduce the (pipeline) pressure without hurting service,” Guarino said.
The project will replace 50- to 60-year-old, 24-inch diameter natural gas transmission lines along Fairview Avenue from Grant Street on the north to John Muir Parkway on the south.
Guarino said the work will be done in roughly half-mile segments and maintain one open traffic lane in each direction at most times. Detours will be used to aid traffic flow along Fairview, one of Brentwood’s busier streets.
“That’s a major arterial for us, especially during school,” councilmember Steve Barr noted during the Jan. 8 council meeting.
Guarino assured the council that the project would be closely coordinated with the city, schools and other outside agencies such as the Department of Fish and Wildlife, to make certain impacts are minimized and the flow of gas isn’t disrupted.
“We’re very confident that (roadway) interruptions will be minimized,” he said. “The gas service will not be interrupted.” Should an unanticipated problem stop the flow, he said, the supply would be re-routed or natural gas supply trucks would be brought in to keep customers fueled.
Guarino said the public might hear loud noises from time to time and see heavy equipment in the area. Traffic delays and detours should be expected on Fairview weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.; Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
For more information, call PG&E’s Jim Stack at 707-365-1573. To get the latest traffic alerts associated with the project, visit the city’s Public Works website by clicking here.
A toll-free information line for the project is in operation during regular business hours at 888-743-7431.
Post a Comment