NPU completes largest natural gas project of the year

Coordination with State will save ratepayers $125,000 on paving costs

In September, Norwich Public Utilities (NPU) completed its largest natural gas construction project for the 2019 construction season, replacing 5,800 feet of natural gas main along Hamilton Avenue between East Main Street and Smith Avenue.

“We appreciate the patience of the public while our crews completed this important project,” said Chris LaRose, General Manager of NPU. “By modernizing another section of our natural gas system, our community is safer and our infrastructure is stronger.”

NPU scheduled the work with the State of Connecticut’s Department of Transportation, which is expected to begin paving on Route 165 / Hamilton Avenue in the fall. If NPU were responsible for paving along Hamilton Avenue, project costs would have increased by an additional $125,000.

Work on the project, which was completed entirely by NPU employees, began in April and was completed on Wednesday. In addition to installing more than a mile of natural gas pipe, crews installed or replaced individual gas services at 42 locations, primarily residences.

The total budget for the project was $480,000.

NPU Pipefitters Adam Herz, Joel LeFrancois, and Matt LePage install a new gas meter at a property on Hamilton Avenue.