Gas Line Upgrades Will Cause Traffic Delays

VESTAVIA HILLS, AL - Over the next several months, Spire will be upgrading natural gas pipelines on Shades Crest Road and Vestavia Drive. Spire's improvement work is scheduled to begin the week of March 26, near the intersection of Shades Crest and Smyer Circle. Crews will be working weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. and some Saturday's starting at 9 a.m. For safety and efficiency, lane closures in the immediate work area will be required during these work hours. The Vestavia Hills Police Department will be managing traffic during the lane closures to assure that traffic flows as smoothly as possible. This is a long-term project where work will be conducted in phases so that only one area of the roadway is affected at any given time.

Beginning this week, residents in the area will receive a door hanger with details and contact information. In addition to the door hangers, residents will soon receive a phone call to let them know about the project. Prior to the start of the improvement project, residents in the area will notice representatives from USIC Locating Services, locating existing utility lines and clearly marking them with spray paint.

These upgrades could require Spire to dig in some residents' yards. If that occurs, Spire has assured that they will keep disruptions at a minimum. Once work in the area is completed, lawns, sidewalks and streets will be fully restored.

For updates as this project progresses, visit http://vhal.org/community/calendarsnews/projects/

Photo by Michael Seale/Patch