Columbia Gas to invest $20 million to update pipelines in city

Columbia Gas of Ohio announced Thursday it will invest $20.4 million in Toledo this year to upgrade gas pipelines in seven areas of the city.

The work, which has already started in some locations, will involve retiring bare steel gas lines and installing plastic pipes to improve the reliability and safety of service, Columbia Gas officials said. Also, customers with indoor meters will have them moved outside. Altogether, nearly 50 miles of natural gas infrastructure will receive upgrades.

The projects, which build on work done in 2011, are part of a total $200-million investment by Columbia Gas in northwest Ohio that will span 25 years.

“This is just the tip of our 20-year iceberg,” spokesman Chris Kozak said. “These projects reflect major commitment to this community.”

Mayor Mike Bell, who was present for the announcement made at one of the project sites in south Toledo, called the efforts “impressive” and said they will compliment major infrastructure improvements the city is planning for its roads over the next two years.

“It’s nice to know all these positive things are happening right now in Toledo,” he said. “It’s really a one-two punch.”

Dean Monske, chief executive officer for the Regional Growth Partnership, said better gas lines are imperative to attracting more businesses to the city.

Customers who will be impacted by the projects will be sent a notification letter prior to the start date, external affairs specialist Carmella King said. Columbia Gas will also hold public meetings to discuss the work in each area and answer questions.

The seven projects are in the following vicinities:

• -South Avenue and Ogden Avenue (underway)
• Airline Avenue and Decatur Street
• Rogers Street and Woodville Road (underway)
• Holmes Street
• Yates Street (underway)
• Parkwood Avenue
• Dryden Drive

Work on all the projects should be completed by mid-December of this year, Ms. King said.