Columbia Gas to replace lines on 2 Leetsdale streets

Columbia Gas this week began replacing about 1,700 feet of steel pipe with plastic pipe in Leetsdale, a spokeswoman for the gas company said.

The pipeline replacement project is on Broad and Rapp streets in Leetsdale, Columbia Gas spokeswoman Sarah Perry said.

About 50 customers will receive new service lines if needed, she said. Work is expected to be completed in June, depending on weather and emergency projects.

"We're coordinating with the Leetsdale Borough and local water authority to make infrastructure improvements and restore the area where our work is taking place," Perry said.

The project is expected to cost $380,000 and is part of Columbia Gas' ongoing investment to modernize distribution lines in Pennsylvania, Perry said.

Overall, Columbia Gas has spent about $1.1 billion to modernize the system between 2007 through 2015, she said. This year, the company expects to invest about $210 million in Pennsylvania including more than $160 million earmarked for upgrading underground infrastructure, Perry said.

Since January, Columbia Gas crews have been replacing about 2 miles of existing steel pipe with plastic pipe along Oak Knoll Drive, Stonedale Road, Scaife Road and Lane Road. The $1.75 million Sewickley Heights project is expected to be completed in June.

The gas company has done similar work across the region, including in Edgeworth, Moon and Sewickley.

Bobby Cherry is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at rcherry@tribweb.com.