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Columbia Gas updates Upper Arlington on pipeline schedule; company vows Northwest Boulevard will reopen by July 4
Summary
Columbia Gas told the Upper Arlington City Council on May 11 that 63% of pipe has been installed and that restoration and mechanical completion are scheduled through November, and the company pledged to clear Northwest Boulevard by July 4 to minimize holiday disruption.
Columbia Gas Public Affairs Project Specialist Leah Lewis told the Upper Arlington City Council on May 11 that work on Phase 2B of the North Columbus high-pressure pipeline is progressing and that the company expects mechanical completion in August and full restoration by November.
"Thirty-three percent of overall (work) is complete and 63% of the pipe has been installed in the ground," Lewis said, noting the difference reflects that restoration work is tracked separately from pipe installation. She said the Ridgeview and Brandon station builds are on the critical path.
The presentation listed active construction along Lane Avenue and work on Kenny Road, Tremont, Brandon and Northam. Lewis said tie-ins are not yet complete and that station construction requires the project team to return later for commissioning and final connection.
Council member Tracy asked whether Northwest Boulevard would be open for the city’s July 4 activities. "That is our top priority," Lewis replied. "Our work will be off those main streets early June, no later than mid-June," she said, adding the company has repeatedly stressed the July 4 target to on-site crews.
Lewis said the project will deliver natural gas service to homes in Upper Arlington and that the work follows federal directives to improve transmission safety. She described monthly community meetings (next dates: June 3, July 1) and multiple channels for resident outreach, including the company website, door hangers and postcards.
City staff representatives told council the reconstruction contract for Northwest Boulevard will come to council in June and that the follow-on street project will be a full reconstruction (new curb and deep excavation) to be phased to reduce simultaneous excavation length.
Why it matters: the project expands pipeline capacity and requires months of local utility and street work. Council and Columbia Gas emphasized coordination with the city, schools and emergency services to maintain resident access and public safety during construction. The company committed to prioritizing the July 4 reopening of Northwest Boulevard and to continued community meetings and updates.
What’s next: Columbia Gas and city staff said the council will see a construction contract on the June agenda and that the company will continue monthly resident meetings to provide localized notices and restoration plans.
