Council Bluffs, Iowa, natural gas line upgrades

Beginning in late May 2022, you’ll see us installing new natural gas lines in some of your neighborhoods. While the current lines are still safe, it’s time to begin updating them with modern technology. The new gas lines require less maintenance, improve our ability to precisely locate our underground infrastructure and are installed using the latest materials and methods.

Black Hills Energy crews and contractors will be working in your neighborhood to upgrade natural gas lines and gas meters. This process includes locating and marking underground utility lines. You may notice flags and paint in your yard or around your neighborhood that identify where phone, cable, electric, fiber, water, sewer and gas utility lines are located.

You and your family need and deserve safe, reliable energy, and Black Hills Energy is always looking ahead to make sure we deliver. We appreciate your cooperation and patience as we deliver an advanced, modern gas system that will safely and reliably serve you and future generations of Council Bluffs.

Project overview

Black Hills Energy will be upgrading approximately 12,100 feet of natural gas pipeline. Black Hills Energy has hired utility contractor Q3 to assist us with this project. All contractors and technicians will carry Black Hills Energy identification and are trained to meet our high quality and service standards.

Besides construction work in the area, your natural gas service might be interrupted for a minimal amount of time. If we're working on your service line, we'll need to turn off your service for a short period of time, typically less than four hours. Once the work is complete, we'll test your house piping, restore service and relight your appliances. An adult 18 years of age or older must be present to allow our employee to enter your home. If an adult isn’t present, we'll leave a door hanger asking you to call us to have your service restored when an adult can be present.

Construction is being conducted to meet all U.S. Department of Transportation regulations and requirements and is approved by the Iowa Utilities Board.

More information

Project map

Project schedule

The project is slated to begin in late May and extend into October. Construction will take place on S 8th St. from 9th Ave. to 2nd Ave. Typical hours of construction are from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Traffic impacts

As construction moves block by block, traffic will be reduced to one lane in the work area. Driveways on one side of the street may be impacted during this time and access may be temporarily blocked.

Our goal is to maintain an open lane of traffic at all times. Temporary parking restrictions may be necessary in some areas and signs will be posted where parking is banned. Public safety and traffic flow are our top concerns.

Customer impacts

Yard signs will be placed in customer yards and/or right-of-way the week prior to planned work.
Because natural gas lines are buried, some digging will be necessary in the public right-of-way, which includes lawn areas. If your service line, which is an underground natural gas line that runs from the street to the gas meter and/or home, needs to be replaced, we'll need to dig on your property. Once work is complete, the restoration of yards, sidewalks and any pavement will be done as quickly as possible. Typical yard restoration is limited to grading and seeding.
All residents of streets where the construction is taking place shall be given access to their homes. We will accommodate access needs as quickly as we can safely do so, and there may be some instances that require a resident to go around to the opposite end of the street to gain access.
Sidewalks and driveways may be temporarily closed where the equipment is located and work is performed. We ask that you please cross over to the other side of the road in those areas.
Customers can contact Chris Dewey at 712-325-3022 or Customer Service at 888-890-5554. Customer Service is available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. CT.

Please be advised that weather may have an impact on the schedule of the project.