Nicor Gas will be doing gas main replacement projects throughout Lincolnwood, part of what it calls a modernization overhaul project for delivering natural gas to its customers.
“Nicor Gas is committed to the modernization of our aging infrastructure, prioritizing the safety and reliability of our natural gas distribution system,” utility company officials stated in an informational communication that was also reportedly mailed to Lincolnwood area customers.
Though village of Lincolnwood officials announced in a village newsletter that the work will soon get underway, officials made clear that the intricate project is being done by the gas utility company and its subcontractors NPL, a natural gas utility infrastructure services company, and UMI, a metal fabricator company based in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.
“Please understand this work is not a Village-led project, as the Village does not supply residents or businesses with natural gas,” Lincolnwood officials stated in the newsletter.
The project is set to include drilling new underground gas utilities, and make needed residential gas meter relocations and restoration. Work will be done at or near specific addresses throughout the village.
Nicor – or its subcontractors – plan to reach out to affected residents directly, including to inform about doing sanitary sewer television inspection, the newsletter explains.
“Sewer televising occurs before and after construction to ensure that the directional drilling operation doesn’t accidentally bore through your private sewer line,” village officials stated in the announcement.
According to the announcement, contractors and subcontractors will have ID badges on their vests and provide door hangers to schedule an appointment to complete the sewer televising.
The village’s electronic announcement newsletter includes a link to more information that provides greater detail about the work that will take place. Titled “Enhancements to your natural gas system in Lincolnwood,” five major steps in the project are highlighted.
Steps include inspecting sewers, which officials explain is part of Nicor’s safety practices and will be done from the street or via an appointment that NPL schedules to inspect the sewer line from inside individual properties.
“There will be no interruption to your natural gas or sewer service during the inspection. Vital information from the inspection will be marked on lawns and sidewalks with spray paint,” according to the information provided by Nicor.
Another listed step is identifying new meter locations and utilities.
Nicor Gas – or NPL or UMI – will schedule an appointment to locate an existing natural gas line and natural gas meter.
“During this step, water, sewer, electric and cable utilities will also be located and identified with spray-painted markings and colored flags. It is important that these markings always remain visible for your safety,” according to Nicor.
NPL will install a new natural gas main in the neighborhood, as well as a new natural gas line that connects the property to the natural gas main. Another major project step will include connecting the system and retiring facilities, according to the information Nicor provided.
Landscaping and pavement that gets impacted by the construction will be restored to the condition in which Nicor found it, the utility company explains.
The enhancements to the natural gas system in Lincolnwood are part of Invest in Illinois, a Nicor Gas system improvement initiative, according to Nicor.
Officials explained on the utility company’s website that Investing in Illinois accelerates the rate at which Nicor can upgrade the infrastructure that stores and delivers natural gas to its 2.2 million customers in more than 650 communities throughout northern Illinois, as of March 2021.
“We appreciate your understanding and thank you for allowing us to continue to provide you with safe and reliable natural gas service,” Nicor states in the information provided to residents.
