If it feels like you’re dodging more construction crews than usual on the streets of Birch Cliff, you’re right.
Enbridge Gas Distribution is in the midst of a project to replace the cast iron natural gas mains that run along our neighbourhood streets, as well as the service lines that run from the street to individual homes and businesses.
The cast iron pipes are being replaced with plastic because they are inefficient and can’t keep up with the growing demand for natural gas, according to Enbridge spokesperson Chris Meyer. Meyer also says plastic is a less expensive option because the cast iron distribution system is expensive to maintain as it ages.
In 2012, Enbridge is focussing on 13 streets in Birch Cliff:
- Birchcliff Avenue
- Birchmount Avenue
- Dault Road
- Eastwood Avenue
- Freeman Street
- Harding Blvd
- Hollis Avenue
- Kildonan Drive
- Kingsbury Crescent
- Kingston Road
- Lakeside Avenue
- Phenix Drive
- Rhydwen Avenue
Gas Leak on Birchcliff Avenue
There was some alarm last week as emergency vehicles descended on Birchcliff Avenue and Meyer confirms there was a problem:
“There was a natural gas leak that Enbridge gas distribution was called to the morning of Friday June 15th on Birchcliff Ave. Enbridge crews responded. When we arrived there was a natural gas leak and the leak was outdoors.”
Meyer would not confirm reports by neighbours that the leak was caused by crews striking the gas main.
“It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to discuss a cause because we notify the Technical Standards and Safety Authority which would look at that. We would share information with them…Our focus is responding to the leak itself. We work with local fire departments and others. When our crews get there they are monitoring the leak and making sure…it’s venting safely. Then they look at making repairs.”
[box] Editor’s note: On June 25th, Birch Cliff Public School confirmed that the school was in “Hold and Secure” mode (also known as “Lockdown”) during the gas leak.[/box]
Contractors
There are two contractors that have been hired by Enbridge for the project. Link-Line is the contractor replacing the mains and service lines. Down the road, Lakeside Gas services will require access to people’s homes and businesses to switch the service over to the new system.
Communication with residents
Letters have been sent to residents on the streets where work is scheduled. If you’ve received a letter, Meyer says you can expect the work to last one day. If work is being done on your house, it doesn’t necessarily mean crews will be digging up your lawn.
With the new service, Enbridge will often “directionally drill” to cause the least disruption possible. They feed the new service line under the lawn so they don’t actually have to open a trench to install the pipe. Meyers says this is new technology and they use it as much as possible in order to minimize disruption.
You can ask for photo ID
If anyone comes to your door, be aware that all Enbridge employees and contractors carry photo identification. If you’re not sure, contact Enbridge.
So far, two kilometres of natural gas mains have been upgraded in Birch Cliff this year, according to Meyer, who says that represents half of the work scheduled for the neighbourhood this year. Meyers says the local work should be completed by mid-August.