PECO is beginning a multi-million dollar upgrade project in Newtown and Lower Makefield townships.
A statement from the company said the work will improve the local natural gas distribution system.
The upgrade is in response to increasing demand for natural gas in the area, the company stated earlier this week.
The “critical” project will involve the installation of nearly 9,000 feet of steel natural gas main along Lindenhurst Road, the utility company said.
PECO said the work is to “improve reliability and increase natural gas capacity in the area. This investment will also allow additional homes, businesses and communities to convert to natural gas.”
Construction is set to commence in mid-May and is anticipated to be complete by October.
The initial phase of the project will see construction activities taking place from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Mondays through Fridays. Lane closures will be needed. Later work will shift to daytime hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will require a detour route to be implemented.
For a period of four weeks during the project, Lindenhurst Road will be entirely closed, and additional details to be released to the public well in advance. The proposed detour will reroute traffic via Dollington Road, Stoopville Road, and Washington Crossing Road, returning back east on the Newtown Bypass, according to PECO.
PECO has assured that emergency access, as well as services such as mail and package delivery, trash removal, and school bus operations, will continue throughout the construction zone.
The work is part of PECO’s broader investment plan to put approximately $9.3 billion over the next five years to upgrade its natural gas and electric systems. The planned upgrades include system enhancements, new equipment installations, inspections of existing infrastructure, and vegetation management.
