PSEG to Upgrade Aging Gas Pipes in Ridgewood

Media Relations   Public Service Electric and Gas Company 80 Park Plaza, T-4 Newark, NJ 07102-4194 

PSE&G to Upgrade Aging Gas Pipes in Ridgewood

New lines will improve reliability and ensure continued safety of gas service

Public Service Electric & Gas Company (PSE&G) will be working in Ridgewood to replace nearly two miles of old gas pipes with new piping – ensuring a continued safe, clean and reliable gas system well into the future.

Beginning on June 16, work will take place Monday through Saturday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., weather permitting. The gas main replacement portion of the work is expected to be completed by the fall. The paving and street restoration is expected to be completed in the spring of 2018.

“These upgrades are part of PSE&G’s three-year program to replace 510 miles of aging gas infrastructure throughout New Jersey,” said Joe Forline, vice president of gas operations for PSE&G. “After decades of being in the ground, old cast iron pipes can crack and unprotected steel may corrode. The new durable, plastic pipes will improve reliability, reduce the possibility of leaks, and ensure the continued safety of gas service for customers.”

PSE&G is committed to keeping customers in Ridgewood informed about where and when the work will take place. Residents will be notified when work begins in their area by mail, door hangers and social media. Customers can find more information, including a list of streets and video of how the work is performed at www.pseg.com/gaswork. 

“The investments PSE&G is making to upgrade its aging gas infrastructure will benefit all Ridgewood residents by ensuring continued safe and reliable service,” said Mayor Susan Knudsen. “PSE&G is coordinating with the local police who will be directing traffic around work areas. We appreciate the patience of our residents while PSE&G performs this important work in our town.”

How the work will be done Before construction can start, the utility tests soil and digs test holes to verify the location of existing gas pipe. When this preliminary work is complete, PSE&G will begin installing the new gas lines.

• To upgrade the gas lines, PSE&G digs trenches, primarily in road surfaces, and lays new pipes block by block to minimize disruptions. There will be short-term road closures and detours during construction. Local police direct vehicle and pedestrian traffic. At the end of each workday, the trenches are filled in and protective plates secured on any open areas so people can safely drive and walk. Customers always have access to their driveways.

• When possible, the utility does not dig on properties. If PSE&G does have to dig on a customer’s property, the utility restores any disturbance after the service line is installed. Grass areas are repaired and seeded, and concrete or asphalt openings are patched until final restoration work is scheduled.

• After construction, a PSE&G technician needs to access the customer’s home to connect the service line and gas meter to the new gas main. The utility contacts homeowners to arrange a date and time to do the work. During this reconnection, customers can expect to be without gas service for about 4 hours.

• If a gas meter is inside, PSE&G relocates it to the outside of the customer’s home or business. A technician relights all appliances and makes sure they are working safely before leaving a home.

• When work is finished, the utility repairs roads with temporary pavement until the ground settles. This takes about 45 to 90 days. PSE&G then restores the roads with permanent paving in accordance with town ordinance and paving requirements.

### Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is New Jersey’s oldest and largest regulated gas and electric delivery utility, serving nearly three-quarters of the state’s population. PSE&G is the winner of the ReliabilityOne Award for superior electric system reliability. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a diversified energy company (www.pseg.com).

Visit PSEG at: www.pseg.com PSEG on Facebook PSEG on Twitter PSEG on LinkedIn PSEG blog, Energize!