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Eversource says 2024 street work largely finished; New Bedford's DPI details co-op repairs and oversight
Summary
Eversource officials told the committee they completed most 2024 gas-main work and that the utility plans about 7.5 miles of work in 2025. New Bedford Department of Public Infrastructure described a cooperative approach that can let the city repave whole streets when it is cost-effective and discussed inspection and contractor oversight.
Representatives from Eversource and the New Bedford Department of Public Infrastructure (DPI) updated the City Council Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods on March 11 about utility trenching, restoration and a cooperative program that funds fuller street restoration.
Anthony Villeux, Community Relations for Eversource in New Bedford, said Eversource's 2024 program was largely completed and that the company expects roughly 7.5 miles of work scheduled for 2025. "We completed all of our work in 2024," Villeux told the committee, and said the utility and its contractors performed more work in 2023-24 than in prior years, roughly 13 to 15 miles total across those two years.
Councilors raised recurring concerns about trench sinking and seams where company restorations meet later city paving. Villeux said DPI regularly notifies him of sinking trenches or valve-box problems and he forwards those issues to the appropriate crews; he said most complaints are addressed within a week or two.
Deputy Justin (DPI) described the city's "co-op" process that sometimes allows the city to use funds from Eversource to complete curb-to-curb repairs and ADA upgrades when it is financially sensible. Under the arrangement, Eversource pays the city a pre-agreed amount for restoration; if the city can complete a fuller repair or add ADA-compliant features more cost-effectively via municipal contracts, those improvements occur and the utility payment is applied to the work.
"When those times make sense is when Eversource's contracted cost is more than the city's contract cost," the DPI deputy said. The city uses its contractor pricing to determine where it is efficient to accept utility funds and perform fuller restorations, and the work enters the city's regular repair program.
DPI staff told the committee they inspected winter permits and are keeping lists of corrections for Eversource contractors. Committee members urged strict oversight to avoid future buckling or sinkage where trenches were not properly compacted.
The committee voted to take no further action after the briefing, with members thanking Eversource for responsiveness and asking DPI and the utility to continue coordination and documentation.
