Eversource outlines $305 million gas-main replacement plan for Springfield; council to review easements

Eversource representatives described large-scale work this year to replace aging, ‘‘leak‑prone’’ gas mains in Springfield and answered councilors’ questions about project scope, timelines and customer rates.

At a March 25 joint meeting of the Springfield City Council’s Maintenance and Development and Economic Development committees, Keegan Ritchie, director of gas construction at Eversource, said the company has identified roughly 185 miles of leak‑prone main in Springfield — about 41% of the city’s gas mains — and outlined several projects planned for 2025 including Sumner Avenue, Page Boulevard and Westward Circle.

The projects are part of Eversource’s Gas System Enhancement Program (GSEP), a multi‑year statewide effort to remove higher‑risk cast‑iron and other leak‑prone pipe. Doug Gordon, Eversource’s vice president of distribution rates and regulatory requirements, said the company plans roughly $305 million of replacements across its Massachusetts gas territory in 2024–2025 and that cost recovery is regulated by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities. “That boils down to a little under $3.50 a month” per customer, Gordon said.

Why it matters: City councilors pressed for more detail because replacement work requires temporary street excavation, local easements and multi‑week construction that can affect neighborhoods. Councilors also cited repeated instances where newly paved streets were later opened for utility work and asked how the city and utilities could better coordinate timing.

Key facts presented - Sumner Avenue (described on the agenda as a replacement project): about 2,535 feet of new main and 42 service laterals (roughly half a mile). Eversource said crews typically advance about 100–180 feet per day depending on digging conditions. - Page Boulevard: about 3,000 feet of main and 59 service laterals (a little over a half mile). - Westward Circle: about 3,100 feet and 29 service laterals. - Citywide: Eversource said Springfield accounts for about 185 miles of leak‑prone main, or roughly 41% of the company’s leak‑prone mains in its Massachusetts territory. - Program scope and cost: Eversource described $305 million in GSEP work across its Massachusetts gas footprint (330,000 customers in roughly 61 communities). Gordon said the capital is financed and recovered over the life of the projects under DPU oversight.

Council procedure and next steps Councilors said several Eversource petitions for easements were deferred at earlier meetings so the council could review project details in committee rather than approve them without discussion. A motion to refer the easement petitions to committee was made and seconded at an earlier session; the council committee meeting on March 25 reviewed the items. Councilors were told at the meeting that five Eversource items had been tabled previously and that at least six additional Eversource petitions were scheduled for the city council agenda on April 7.

What officials said - Keegan Ritchie, director of gas construction, Eversource: explained the replacement projects and gave the 2,535‑foot / 42‑lateral example for Sumner Avenue. - Doug Gordon, vice president of distribution rates and regulatory requirements, Eversource: described the $305 million program and the DPU rate recovery mechanism, saying, “That boils down to a little under $3.50 a month.” - Chris Signoli, director of Public Works, City of Springfield: outlined the city’s permitting and paving coordination process and the permit steps Eversource must complete before work can start.

Discussion points and outstanding questions Councilors requested project‑by‑project engineering plans and earlier notification from Eversource to committee members. Eversource said it will provide detailed construction drawings and permit information on request. Councilors also pressed for clearer timelines for when work would begin on specific streets and for improved coordination so paving and utility work do not repeatedly disturb newly paved roads.

No formal council vote on any specific easement, ordinance or ordinance adoption occurred during the March 25 meeting; the session was informational and preparatory ahead of petitions slated for future council hearings.

Ending: Eversource officials said they would supply engineering plans and that the city and utility will continue coordinating project schedules. The council expects multiple Eversource petitions on the April 7 agenda for formal action.