Natural gas pipeline replacement project

As part of our ongoing system improvements in 2012, we are replacing about 80 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. We contact you to schedule this work. If you have an existing gas meter inside your residence, we work with you to determine placement of the new outside meter. The work inside your residence requires that an adult resident be present to give our 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 Northeast – Edgewood to North
Feb. 1 to June 1
Contractor: KS Energy
Map (PDF 279k)

Whitefish Bay – East School to Silver Spring
March 15 to May 15
Contractor: Meade
Map (PDF 123k)

Whitefish Bay – Silver Spring to Henry Clay
May 1 to July 1
Contractor: Meade
Map (PDF 139k)

Milwaukee Northeast – Humboldt, Capitol, Locust
June 1 to Aug. 1
Contractor: KS Energy
Map (PDF 160k)

Whitefish Bay – Henry Clay to Hampton
July 1 to Aug. 1
Contractor: Meade
Map (PDF 172k)

Wauwatosa – Harwood to O’Connor
Aug. 1 to Oct. 1
Contractor: Meade
Map (PDF 160k)

Milwaukee – North to Clybourn
Aug. 1 to Sept. 1
Contractor: KS Energy
Map (PDF 197k)

Milwaukee – Townsend to North
Aug. 1 to Sept. 1
Contractor: KS Energy
Map (PDF 319)

Milwaukee West – Harvey to Mt. Vernon
Sept. 1 to Oct. 15
Contractor: KS Energy
Map (PDF 160k)

Wauwatosa – Wisconsin to I-94
Oct. 1 to Dec. 31
Contractor: Meade
Map (PDF 160k)

West Allis
Oct. 15 to Dec. 31
Contractor: KS Energy
Map – I-94 to National (PDF 209k)
Map – West Main to West Mitchell (PDF 168k)

If you have questions, contact:

Craig Oyer 414-588-1662 or Erich Wuestenhagen 414-651-3948