WATSONVILLE — Traffic delays are expected as Pacific Gas and Electric Company will be working on its natural gas system at various locations in Watsonville.
Crews will be conducting visual inspections of PG&E’s underground natural gas pipelines to confirm the integrity of the lines and will be excavating at several locations to plan for the future replacement of natural gas pipelines in the area.
PG&E plans to replace natural gas pipelines with new, more seismically-sound materials. To prepare for this project, crews will begin work on Jan. 15 by excavating at the following locations where replacement work is planned:
• Pennsylvania Avenue from Main Street/Ramsay Park to Green Valley Road.
• Green Valley Road from Pennsylvania to Lawrence Avenue.
• Walker Street from Front Street to Ford Street.
The work hours at Main Street/Ramsay Park will be from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., Monday through Friday.
All other work will be performed between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Traffic impacts of the work will include lane closure with traffic control onsite. Barring unexpected delays, the work will take place through February.
Inspection work in Watsonville is scheduled to begin on Jan. 22 at Harkins Slough Road, east of Bay View Drive.
Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Traffic impacts of the work will include lane closures with traffic control onsite.
The work will take place through early March, according to PG&E.
There are no planned natural gas service outages. If this changes, a PG&E representative will contact the impacted customers.
Following standard safety practices, crews will vent natural gas from pipelines as the project progresses. As PG&E vents the pipe, the smell of natural gas and the sound of venting may be noticeable to nearby homes and businesses, depending on the wind direction. According to PG&E, the natural gas will quickly dissipate into the atmosphere and will not be harmful; however, PG&E encourages anyone who has concerns about natural gas odors in or around their home or business to call 1-800-743-5000.
