Columbia Gas has informed the Town of Andover that additional compliance checks must be performed on gas lines that were abandoned during the emergency restoration work in 2018. There are 427 addresses in Andover that require additional compliance checks. This is in addition to the 173 addresses that were announced on September 12, 2019. The work announced on September 12th is 96% complete and the additional addresses that require verification are 6% complete. Columbia Gas has accelerated the process by mobilizing additional resources throughout Andover and the Merrimack Valley. There is no immediate threat to public safety, but the town continues to monitor this situation with an abundance of caution and is prepared to respond to any and all utility emergencies.
Columbia Gas has been reaching out to residents at the affected addresses to schedule appointments seven days per week. This work will include Columbia Gas officials entering the property to perform the compliance check. If after three unsuccessful attempts to reach the customer and leaving a door hanger, the compliance check may be done from the soft surface, sidewalk, or street.
This compliance check will significantly impact the paving schedule on the streets that were in the affected area and are included in the gas restoration process. There are streets that have been milled in preparation for paving which will be further delayed. Columbia Gas has prioritized the compliance work on these streets in order for paving to proceed. Those streets include: Argyle, Arundel, Balmoral, Burnham, Carrisbrooke, Cassimere, Dufton, School and York. Please use caution when traveling on these streets as structures may have been raised and the pavement has been milled. The Department of Public Works is actively working with Columbia Gas to coordinate the restoration work with the necessary compliance checks and will monitor the condition of the milled roads until final paving has taken place.
Please continue to check http://www.andoverma.gov/RestoreAndover for the latest information related to the Gas Disaster Restoration process.
While there is no danger to the public, residents should always call 911 if they smell gas, and leave the property. Residents may reach out to Columbia Gas at (866) 388-3239 with any questions related to this situation.
A list of addresses that may be affected can be found here.
For more information on the Service Line Verification process, click here.