Gas line replacement

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The City of Chester recently made a major gas utility improvement at the Riley Lake Creek crossing. A total of 500 feet of 6 inch high pressure gas main was replaced at the site due to erosion and washing out of the creek.

The natural gas line originates in Texas, runs to Prairie du Rocher and then feeds to Chester. The gas line is the main 6 inch feeder line for the City of Chester. It was necessary to dig under the creek in order to bury the line and relocate 500 feet of high pressure main.

The project was planned by the Chester Utility Department personnel and USDI, and it took about one and a half weeks to complete. The project had been scheduled to be completed earlier, but it was postponed due to high water and flooding in the area. A trac-hoe and backhoe were required for the project and the USDI supplied the high pressure stopping and tapping machine. Work on this utility improvement was completed by the City of Chester Utility Department employees, Miller Welding, and USDI.

The use of bottom out line stopper fittings allowed work to continue with no disruption of service to customers throughout the project. When the work was completed, complex testing was required before putting the line in use. The line normally carries 200 lbs. of gas pressure, so all areas were pressure tested to 350 lbs. After the testing was complete, the taps were made to put the line in service. The improvement was necessary to maintain continued service to the city of Chester.

The City of Chester is pleased to provide this utility improvement in order to maintain and provide natural gas service to the residents of Chester. The planning and skilled work by the Chester Utility Department staff, Miller Welding and USDI staff is appreciated. This important project should help provide quality service for many years to Chester gas customers.