Vectren replacing 80 miles of Indiana pipeline throughout 2019
Crews of Vectren Energy Delivery of Indiana have begun replacing gas mains and service lines throughout the state, investing $51 million for the modernization of 80 miles of pipeline.
It is part of a much larger action that has been ongoing since 2008, which will see a total of 1,200 miles of bare steel and cast-iron pipes swapped out, often for plastic systems. Such work will be prioritized based on the state the pipes are in, as well as the impact timing will have on each city involved. This year alone, the action will impact 26 cities, including Anderson, Bedford, Chesterfield, Columbus, Evansville, Frankfort, Greenfield, Hagerstown, Huntington, Knightstown, Lafayette, Muncie, Petersburg, Richmond, Terre Haute, and Washington.
“To ensure the continued reliability of our natural gas pipeline systems and service, Vectren continues our program to replace essentially all of our bare steel and cast-iron pipeline structure in Indiana,” Richard Leger, vice president of Natural Gas Distribution or Indiana and Ohio, said. “These infrastructure enhancements are vital to meeting federal requirements and ensuring safe delivery of natural gas service to our customers for decades to come.”
More than 700 miles of pipe have already been replaced.
Different segments of these replacements will take longer than others. By the end of the project, Vectren estimates the pipe replacements will reduce natural gas emissions and cut cases of leaks.
