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FT sewer project stumbles upon mystery gas line
Sewer construction in the Mon-E-Bak area of Franklin Township nearly screeched to a halt mid-August when unmarked gas lines caused a scare for contractors in charge of the sanitary sewer projects. According to Jim Stevens, road supervisor for Franklin Township, contractors ran into the problem at El Paso Drive and North Hague Avenue. After having already dug 24 feet, the company came across gas lines not found on their plans. After speaking with Columbia Gas officials, the contractors were told the project would be held up for approximately six months. Any hold up would have jeopardized the road being repaired in time for students return to North Franklin Elementary in autumn. They began plans to close down the intersection and draft traffic plans, when Columbia Gas learned the gas lines were actually abandoned and not hazardous, demonstrated by drilling a hole through the line one morning. “That being said, everything is still on track. They know the importance of getting everything done on time and before school starts,” Stevens said. Additionally, crews are finishing the main line on Little Avenue and have reached the intersection of Little Avenue and Brown Road. At this point, Stevens said, the contractor will work on weekends to expedite the process. “Now that they have the main line in, they are going to jump back and start doing it on Saturdays, where they’re bringing in a total of four crews,” Stevens said. Little Avenue will be shut down for two hour increments while the four crews sweep down the road installing laterals. The contractor will keep metal plates on hand to seal holes in the road at a moment’s notice, in the event emergency vehicles need passage down the road. The next street to be underway is Richter Road, which is being marked and will begin once Franklin County approves traffic control. The work will move east on Richter Road, toward Brown Road. Overlays will be done in October once the main lines and laterals have all been installed. “October seems to be the key date for putting all the asphalt in,” Stevens said.
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