Contractors with SaskEnergy have been digging up back alleys and main streets throughout Moose Jaw this past week, as they work to upgrade underground infrastructure.
Since 2011, the Crown corporation has targeted different municipalities in the province in which to upgrade natural gas lines, explained spokeswoman Casey MacLeod. SaskEnergy has been proactive in upgrading its service T lines, where the service line connects to the main line. This also ensures the safety of homes and residents in the affected areas.
More than 21,000 connections have been replaced in the past eight years. SaskEnergy is planning to upgrade 2,800 of the service T lines this year.
“We’re doing about 19 of them (in Moose Jaw) and we should have them completed by the end of the week,” MacLeod said.
In previous years SaskEnergy has targeted service T lines in Regina, Saskatoon, Humboldt and Pense. Upgrading these lines also ensures small sections of natural gas lines can be shut off, as opposed to shutting off large areas across many neighbourhoods, according to one contractor working in a back alley on Hochelaga Street West.
“It’s one of our more simpler projects,” added MacLeod. These particular service T lines have been targeted due to their age, or because moisture levels in the soil have affected the pipes.
More information about SaskEnergy can be found at www.saskenergy.com.
