With just over five kilometres of pipe already replaced, the National Petroleum Corporation (NPC) is moving full steam ahead with its Mains Replacement Project.
This disclosure has come from the NPC’s Project Engineer, Vincent Knight, who said 12.53 kilometres of cast iron mains within the network are expected to be replaced with polyethylene pipe by October 2023.
In highlighting the importance of this project, which started mid-June 2022, Mr. Knight stated that NPC had been plagued with leaks throughout its network over the years, due to the ageing mains.
“Hence, the Corporation has embarked on this programme to reduce or minimise the leaks which result in a loss of gas. Any leaking gas is of concern to the NPC, as well as the health and safety of the public. Leaking gas is volatile and can ignite under the right conditions,” he explained.
The Project Engineer pointed out that the original date for completion of the project was August this year, but it had to be revised because of challenges which arose. He identified some of them as inclement weather and solid rock, which required additional time to be removed from the work area.
“The contractors have encountered areas where the rock cutting required the use of heavy equipment at times and manual labour because of existing utility mains. The Ministry of Transport, Works and Water Resources’ specifications do not allow gas mains to pass through box culverts and road side drains. In some cases, therefore, the gas mains had to be rerouted to avoid major drainage infrastructures.
“During December 2022, the contractors had anticipated commencing asphalt reinstatement to the active road sites, but there was a shortage of asphalt and this has set back the project by a couple of weeks,” he indicated.
Mr. Knight said initially 705 existing residential and business services were earmarked for changeover. However, the NPC had installed more than 30 new and potential customers, especially in the My Lord’s Hill area, where the main was rerouted.
NPC’s Mains Replacement Project is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank, and is being undertaken simultaneously in two packages. A number of areas in Christ Church and St. Michael are listed in Package A, while the Package B roads are in St. Michael.
The Project Engineer noted that contractors had already replaced pipes in areas such as Maxwell and Dover, in Christ Church, and Gowdy Gap off Lakes Folly, Rihanna Drive, St. Leonard’s Avenue and Pickwick Gap, in St. Michael.
Additionally, he stated, asphalt reinstatement had been completed at Gowdy Gap, Rihanna Drive, My Lord’s Hill, and 1st and 2nd Avenue Dover Gardens. He added that paving has been planned for a number of locations in the coming weeks.
“We have completed the installation of a new six-inch main from the Belle Regulating Station, through Licorish Village and onto My Lord’s Hill, with the current work involving the transfer of existing services to the new main,” Mr. Knight explained.
Some of the work still to be done in Package A include: Maxwell Main Road from Top Rock roundabout to the intersection at Dover Road, Christ Church; Highway 7 from its intersection with Rendezvous Road (starting at the traffic lights) to its intersection with St. Lawrence Gap, and the side roads along Highway 7, from the Rendezvous lights to the Chamberlain Bridge, in Bridgetown.
The work programme in Package B comprises the Bridgetown Area, from the Chamberlain Bridge (Independence Arch) to the Mighty Grynner Highway, St. Michael. Some of those roads in which the natural gas network passes through are Moles Alley, James Street, Swan Street, Bridge Street, Probyn Street and Princess Alice Highway.
Mr. Knight pointed out that the Ministry of Transport, Works and Water Resources had given the NPC permission to carry out some of the work at night, preferably outside major residential areas, and contractors were utilising this option and pressing ahead with the job.
He noted that motorists had been “kind” to the workmen thus far, although there was the occasional driver who “accelerated to a speed faster than we would like” while passing through the work areas.
“We encourage the travelling public to continue to obey the signs and directions of the traffic wardens, and exercise due care, so that we can complete the work at the various locations incident-free,” he said.
The Project Engineer acknowledged that there was some level of inconvenience to the travelling public because of the work being done, and gave the assurance that NPC’s contractors were working assiduously to complete the tasks as quickly as possible, and in a safe manner.
He promised that the Corporation would continue to provide updates, in a timely manner, about the project through various media, to ensure residents were well informed ahead of their travel plans.
In stressing the importance of the project, Mr. Knight said: “Our aim is to provide a continuous supply of natural gas to customers, while maintaining a safe and reliable network. This project helps us to do that.”