Natural gas pipeline replacement project

As part of our ongoing system improvements in 2011, We Energies is replacing about 40 miles of aging natural gas lines with new piping that is more resistant to corrosion and earth movement.

This work entails replacing pipe in the street, sidewalk and, in most instances, to homes and other buildings. Additionally, it may require the relocation of some gas meters.

We understand this work may cause inconvenience, but it is necessary to continue providing customers with safe and reliable service. We are committed to working with impacted residents and local officials to ensure open communication throughout this process.

Communicating with impacted customers

Before work begins, a We Energies representative contacts impacted customers to discuss the project, review any meter relocations and answer questions. The representative also discusses the restoration efforts to ensure customer satisfaction.

Construction activities

The actual construction begins with work area preparation. Clearing and grading is done, if necessary, to facilitate pipe replacement and transport of required construction equipment. The work is done with minimal environmental disturbance.

Prior to construction activities, standard precautions are taken to identify and avoid disturbance to any existing underground utility lines. Material excavated during trenching is temporarily stock piled next to our excavation on your property. Proper erosion control practices are used to minimize erosion during construction activities.

Road and driveway crossings are accomplished by either boring beneath the roadways or open-cut, where possible. Coordination with local officials to minimize traffic disruption, where necessary, takes place prior to construction. The timing of construction activities are communicated to landowners to minimize disruptions. Roads, sidewalks and driveways disturbed during our construction process are restored. Some ground disturbance is sometimes required. These activities are short-term, and any areas disturbed are revegetated and returned to preconstruction conditions.

Pipe is installed along the road right of way via directional boring. During this process, surface disruption is minimized when a machine drills beneath the ground surface and pulls in the new pipe. Final restoration is compatible with preconstruction condition and adjacent vegetation patterns.

Once the pipeline is in place, work begins on the service lines that run from the street to your home. A We Energies representative contacts you to schedule this work. If you have an existing gas meter inside your residence, a We Energies representative works with you to determine placement of the new outside meter. The work inside your residence requires that an adult resident be present to give We Energies personnel access to the meter location and to relight the pilot lights on any gas appliances once service is restored.

Once the new main and services are installed, and meters moved outside, the old main and services are abandoned. This requires crews to come back to excavate additional holes near the house and in the terrace to sever old service lines. Once again, any disruption is restored to preconstruction condition.

We know the pipeline replacement program is disruptive to your neighborhood. We appreciate your patience and cooperation and want you to be satisfied with our work. We make every effort to minimize your inconvenience and to ensure that we continue to provide the safe and reliable service you have come to expect from We Energies.

Project areas

Milwaukee North #1
March 14 - June 1
Contractor: KS
Map (PDF 639k)

Milwaukee North #2
May 1- Aug. 1
Contractor: KS
Map (PDF 545k)

Milwaukee Central #2
Aug. 1- Nov. 15
Contractor: KS
Map (PDF 512k)

Tosa East
March 14 - June 1
Contractor: Meade
Map (PDF 455k)

Tosa West
May 1- Aug. 1
Contractor: Meade
Map (PDF 504k)

Milwaukee Central #1
Aug. 1 - Nov. 15
Contractor: Meade
Map (PDF 451k)

If you have questions, contact:

Craig Oyer 414-588-1662 or Paul Osmanski 414-315-1278