Utility Construction

Dunford Betterment Survey

If you have noticed pink flags around, it is because the Columbia Gas engineering team is surveying the area ahead of a possible project in the future. Please read below for updates and further details about this ongoing betterment project in the Dunford neighborhood. 

UPDATE - 9/2/2022: Columbia Gas crews will be installing roughly 1,350 feet of new pipe serving 22 residences/properties on Dover Center Road between Westown Blvd. and Center Ridge Road. This is what is commonly called a "betterment" project, aimed at strengthening the natural gas system in the area, specifically helping to ensure residents continue to receive reliable natural gas on the coldest of winter days to those living in the Dunford neighborhood just south of the project area. (see a map below or by clicking HERE Version OptionsUtility Construction Headline)

In terms of timing, preconstruction camera work is already underway. During this phase, residents may notice markers and flags cropping up in yards. Those are to mark the locations of underground facilities. Crews kindly ask that everyone keep the markers/flags in place until our work is complete. Installation of the new mainline should then begin after Labor Day. Once the mainline is in and put into service, we'll follow-up with service line replacements for individual homes. These take about 2-4 hours per property and include a brief service disconnection. Indoor meters will be relocated outside as well. Crews will reach out to schedule an appointment with each property owner for the shutoff, relight and meter relocation (if necessary). 

As for restoration, crews will temporarily restore all property to ensure safety and accessibility and then follow-up with the permanent grade restoration as the project nears completion. As for traffic, please expect some congestion in our work zones, but flaggers will be on-hand to get all motorists through safely. Further, crews will not block residents in their driveways. 

UPDATE - 12/10/2021: Columbia Gas and its contractor Infrasource are getting set to begin a betterment project in Westlake. They will be installing roughly 4,500 feet of new pipe serving 82 homes on Forest Parkway, Maple Drive, Chestnut Drive, Beechwood Drive and Elmwood Drive. The project will enhance the system in the neighborhood and ensure Columbia can continue delivering safe and reliable natural gas with enough capacity.

What to expect:

• Preconstruction camera work is underway and crews will formally begin with installation of the new gas mainline once it is complete in the next few days.
• Once the gas mainline is installed and put into service, they’ll follow-up with service line replacements for individual homes.
• Service line replacements take about 2-4 hours per property and include a brief service disconnection. Indoor meters will be relocated outside as well. Crews will reach out to schedule an appointment with each property once they get to this phase.
•  As for restoration, Columbia will temporarily restore all property to ensure safety and accessibility and then follow-up with permanent restoration as the project nears completion.
•  As for traffic, please expect some congestion in work zones, but flaggers will be on-hand to get all motorists through safely.
•  Columbia thanks everyone for their patience and understanding. Contact information included below for any questions or concerns pertaining to the project.

UPDATE (9/21/2021): Columbia Gas has communicated to the City of Westlake that it anticipates a pipeline replacement project beginning later this year and intends to keep the stakes in the ground that have been in place for some time now. Columbia acknowledged that some residents are growing frustrated with the presence of the stakes and that residents may remove them if they want for the time-being. Columbia will then have to re-stake as necessary when the project begins. If at any point, Columbia makes the determination that the project will not go forward until 2022, the company has said it will remove all remaining stakes at that time.

If you have any questions about this project, please call Columbia Gas at 1-800-344-4077 or visit www.columbiagasohio.com. You may also use the contact information below:

Ben Cutler, MBA | Public Affairs Specialist | Columbia Gas of Ohio
Cell: 216-215-4103 (call/text)
Bcutler@nisource.com
www.facebook.com/bencutler.coh