COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA. – July 7, 2020 – Black Hills Energy has started construction on a project to upgrade natural gas lines and gas meters on S 8th St from 9th Ave to 23rd Ave. While the current natural gas lines are still safe, it is time to begin updating these natural gas lines with modern technology. The new gas lines require less maintenance, improve our ability to precisely locate natural gas lines and are installed using the latest materials and methods.
The project will employ more than 30 contractors and employees who will be on site at various times during construction. Black Hills Energy has hired contractors, NPL and Q3, to assist with this project. All contractors will carry identification and are trained to meet our high quality and service standards.
The company’s first priority is always safety. Black Hills Energy crews are fully trained and equipped to ensure public and crew safety and will follow government guidelines on social distancing and appropriate personal protection equipment.
Phase I: Beginning July 9
- Boring and stringing new 16” pipe under bike trail from S 8th St at 20th Ave. to South Expressway.
- Upgraded pipe to be installed – S 7th St. from 9th Ave. to 11th Ave.
Phase II: August 3 into mid-September
- Following the completion of Phase I, Phase II will begin at the intersection of S 8th Street and 9th Ave. and proceed south in a phased construction to 24th Ave
- As construction moves block by block, traffic will be reduced to one lane in the work area for approximately one week. Driveways on the east side of the street will be impacted during this time and access may be temporarily blocked.
“This upgrade will allow Black Hills Energy to meet our customers’ current and future energy needs, as well as ensure we continue to maintain our industry-leading reliability far into the future,” said Steve Stone, Black Hills Energy’s western Iowa manager of operations. “This investment in the system represents Black Hills Energy’s ongoing commitment to our customers to provide safe, reliable natural gas service.”
Updated construction progress can be found at www.blackhillsenergy.com/reliableiowa.