Eversource Seeks to Strengthen Natural Gas System

From Eversource: To further protect and strengthen the natural gas delivery system, Eversource is investing $3.5 million this year in a multi-phase resiliency project in Danbury. In addition to several other company initiatives, the Danbury project is another effort to ensure reliable service for Eversource gas customers in that area.

“These resiliency projects will further reduce the likelihood of any outages and further enhance the safety of our system by linking more sections of our distribution system together,” said President of Gas Operations at Eversource Bill Akley. “We will be working closely with town officials throughout the project to minimize any traffic disruptions in the community.”

Scheduled for completion in 2019, the project will result in more than 4.5 miles of gas pipeline connecting the natural gas distribution systems in Danbury. This will allow natural gas to flow more efficiently within the community, ensuring that gas is available when customers need it. Linking the systems also offers potential access to natural gas in nearby areas where the clean and efficient fuel has not been an option.

The first phase of the project is underway with the installation of more than 1.5 miles of line from the west end of Danbury along Routes 6/202 (Mill Plain Road) to the Westside Campus of Western Connecticut State University. In 2018 and 2019, work will continue from the university to an Eversource gas facility near Danbury’s downtown area. The project will provide the school a stronger gas delivery system and the area an even more reliable system from Danbury north to New Milford.

Crews are working Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. The first phase is expected to be complete by the end of November. Phase two will begin in April 2018.

Eversource will regularly update community leaders and customers where work is being done to minimize the impact to traffic and coordinate with other roadwork happening in the area. Drivers may experience delays due to alternating, one-way traffic.

Eversource also has new line being installed from Plainfield to Franklin and from Wallingford to Middletown.

These resiliency projects are in addition to Eversource’s ongoing expansion of its natural gas distribution system and replacement program of its older gas pipelines. For more information on these expansion efforts, visit here.

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