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Enterprise seeks permission to excavate Old U.S. 81 to repair natural-gas pipeline; county to decide within two weeks
Summary
Enterprise Pipeline requested permission to dig into the Old U.S. 81 right-of-way north of McPherson to expose and repair an anomaly on an 8-inch natural-gas line, a repair Enterprise says would take roughly five business days to complete and that the company will pay to restore to county standards.
Enterprise Pipeline told McPherson County commissioners on May 19 that an anomaly detected inside an 8-inch natural-gas line beneath Old U.S. 81 north of McPherson will likely require excavation through the county right of way to expose, sandblast and repair the pipe.
The repair request came during the public-works update from David Bombeleste, McPherson County public works director, who introduced Enterprise representatives. Matt Baker, Enterprise’s area supervisor, said the anomaly sits at the edge of the roadway and that an open excavation would likely put crews “approximately 2 to 3 feet into the roadway.” Baker told the board, “A process like this typically takes around 5 business days start to finish” and that the company could compress work to about three days using round-the-clock crews and additional contractors.
Enterprise described two options. Baker said the alternative — horizontal boring under the roadway — is significantly more expensive and would require cooling and taking the pipeline out of service. “It’s best guess is about a $700,000 difference between the two,” Baker said. He added the company is regulated by federal pipeline safety rules and that it will follow county specifications for backfill, compaction and traffic control; Enterprise said it would bear all costs to restore the road and prefers to use county-preferred contractors.
Bombeleste outlined county concerns about traffic disruption on the county’s busiest road, the section of Old U.S. 81 that carries commuter traffic and farm-season movement. Commissioners and staff pressed Enterprise on timing, traffic control and long-term settlement risks after excavation. Enterprise said it can provide insurance, performance bonds and warranties for repairs and discussed using flowable fill and other techniques to reduce settling.
Commissioners asked about scheduling around local events. Enterprise representatives said the pipeline company’s remediation deadline is in August but that they could schedule work before June 14 or after July 7 to avoid a seasonal fireworks and events period; they reiterated they would coordinate public notice and traffic control with the county. The board indicated it would provide a decision in roughly two weeks.
Discussion only — no motion, vote or formal approval was recorded at the meeting. Commissioners asked staff to return a recommendation and said the board would respond to Enterprise within the requested timeframe.
Bombeleste said the county will expect Enterprise to meet McPherson County road specifications and to reimburse or pay directly for any required restoration. Baker confirmed Enterprise would “bear all costs” and would follow county standards for compaction, lift thickness and traffic control, and would provide the required insurance or surety for post-repair claims.
The county asked Enterprise to clarify depth and other engineering specifics; Enterprise gave an initial depth estimate of about 4 feet and said it would supply detailed engineering and start-date options for the commissioners’ decision.
