Union Gas to start replacing lines

With Union Gas ready to undertake a major project to replace its natural gas distribution services here starting in May, town council heard a presentation Monday night about the company’s plans.
Doug Alexander, director of engineering for Union Gas, told council the $10-million project will see an estimated 43.5 km of steel natural gas lines replaced within Fort Frances over the next two years.

Dating back to 1971, these steel natural gas will be replaced with two- and four-inch yellow medium density plastic lines which are much more common these days.
The plastic is very flexible, safe, and allows Union Gas to do “emergency squeeze-offs” anywhere within the town if it needs to do a shut-off.
It also is very resistant to frost movement, and is rated for up to twice the pressure Union Gas will be operating at.
The project also will see 2,430 services replaced, including 1,850 reconnections and 580 new services.
As well, the work will include 480 meter set rebuilds, 193 meter replacements, and 2,122 regulator (pressure control) replacements.
Alexander said a construction yard has been set up in the west end of town, and by May 14 the centreline of the pipeline construction will be staked out in conjunction with the town.
By the Victoria Day long weekend, crews will mobilize and begin work on replacing the natural gas main—mostly doing directional drilling.
This type drilling will be used to help reduce the impact on property since it only goes 30”-36” into the ground.
Then roughly three weeks later, once a substantial part of the main is in the ground, crews will start to install new service hook-ups. Service work will be co-ordinated with customers.
The work will take place in several phases over the two years. The first phase this year, starting in May, will include the north end of town (from McIrvine Road to Christie Avenue) and from Fifth Street to Eighth Street.
The second phase this year, tentatively set to start in late July, will include McIrvine Road to Central Avenue, from the south side of the tracks to the river (a section at Central Avenue was replaced during last year’s road construction there).
The third phase this year will include all of the town west of McIrvine Road, down to the river.
The first phase next year will include everything east of Central Avenue to Colonization Road East, with the exception of areas near the mill, the entire Front Street, and portions of Nelson, Church, and Scott streets.
These remaining portions will be done last in a second phase of 2010.
Depending on how much gets done, Alexander said the work may extend into a third year.
In anticipation of the replacement project, Union Gas began survey work here last year.
Town council approved an agreement with Union Gas last September to formally exchange geographic information system (GIS) data to help the company develop an action place to replace its gas lines.
Alexander said he was impressed with the town’s GIS resources and data swapping, calling them “progressive” compared to many other municipalities.