By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
As the west side of Bowling Green heals from the gas line
replacement project that ripped up streets and sidewalks, Columbia Gas
is preparing the east side for its turn.
“We break some eggs to make this cake,” Columbia Gas representative
Chris Kozak told Bowling Green City Council on Tuesday evening. “It’s a
mess.”
It’s not pretty, it’s not simple, but it necessary, Kozak said.
He showed council the type of gas pipes currently snaking through the
city’s east side. The cast iron pipes, many which predate World War II,
have outlived their usefulness. He then showed council the plastic pipes
buried in the west side of the city – and soon to be on the east side.
The plastic pipes are expected to have a lifespan of 70 to 100 years,
and be flexible when the ground freezes around them.
“The plastic will move with the ground,” he said.
The plastic piping also allows for increases in pressure if needed in
the future.
Kozak explained that the gas line replacements in Bowling Green are part
of a broader 25-year program started by Columbia Gas in 2008 to replace
the most troublesome cast iron lines. The total investment is pegged at
$2 billion.
The west side project in Bowling Green affected 930 customers, replacing
37,000 feet of lines, and costing $4.1 million.
The east side project will affect 365 customers, replacing 10,000 feet
at a cost of $1.8 million.
Columbia Gas officials hope to have the east side project completed by
the end of 2016.
Kozak conceded that the west side project was the focus of several
complaints by residents. He added that his company learned from that
project, and intends to do better on the east side.
“We need to work better with the city,” he said.
This time around, the gas company will have a full-time person available
for city residents to contact with concerns. Though some areas of grass
and concrete have not been restored on the west side, Kozak said
Columbia Gas is committed to fixing those areas.
“We want to leave the area we touched as good or better than we found
it,” he said.
A public meeting was held with east side residents last week to explain
the project. Kozak said citizens will be notified with door tags as the
work nears their neighborhoods.
