First Posted: 2/23/2015
LIMA — Efforts are continuing to address infrastructure needs throughout Lima and the surrounding communities, and during Monday’s Lima City Council meeting, representatives from Dominion East Ohio updated council members on the role they are playing in this area.
According to Dominion East Ohio Operations Manager Ty Lotz, more than 5,500 miles of pipe throughout the state is eligible for the Pipeline Infrastructure Replacement program, a program in place since 2008.
“In Lima, we have 440 miles of pipe that we have to replace,” he said. “That’s about 8 percent of the total state PIR. So far, we’ve replaced a total of 89 miles of pipe.”
So far, Dominion has committed almost $51 million to the project since its inception, replacing deteriorating gas lines, including service lines from the main line to the structure’s gas meter as well as replacing any sidewalks dug up during the process. In some cases, this project also included installing outdoor meters for residences and businesses that had indoor meters.
This year, we’ll have three projects within Lima itself, with seven in our 10-county area,” Lotz said. “In these three projects, about 5.6 miles of pipe will be replaced; $4.4 million is what we estimate those projects will cost.”
Despite the work that has already been done, there are still lines that need to be addressed. Third Ward Councilman Jesse Lowe II inquired during the presentation as to how the projects are prioritized, noting that there is a gas line in an alley in his ward that needs replacement.
“When it rains, you can see the bubbles in the puddles from the gas,” he said. “I know residents I’ve spoken with are concerned that it will just blow up.”
Fifth Ward Councilwoman Teresa Adams also brought attention to a portion of Michael Avenue that has not yet seen its sidewalk replaced, expressing hope that as the weather improves, that portion will be replaced.
“In the meantime, we just don’t want people cited for not clearing their sidewalks when it can’t be seen that there is not one there,” she said.
Dominion advised residents that once they receive notice that their gas line will be replaced to be patient during the process.
“Also, if anyone needs to come into the residence, check for identification,” Lotz said. “There have been incidents across the state where people will come in and scam residents. If we need to come into the property, we’ll have identification.”
