PG&E Gas Pipeline Replacement Project
Under Way on Castro Area Streets

By Romanus Wolter

As part of Pacific Gas & Electric’s (PG&E) Gas Pipeline Replacement Project, major work is being done on Castro area streets to upgrade the piping system infrastructure. The company is replacing older cast iron and steel pipes with state-of-the-art, high-strength plastic pipes that will not corrode and are better able to withstand earthquakes.

The Castro neighborhood section of the gas pipeline replacement program began in July and has an expected completion date of Oct. 31.

The work will be completed in phases, beginning on Collingwood Street, between Market and 18th streets, before continuing to the intersection of Market, Castro and 17th streets. An additional phase will strengthen the pipeline running on Castro Street between 18th and 19th streets. Immediately after each phase, PG&E will repave the area where pipes have been replaced.

The Gas Pipeline Replacement Project is part of PG&E’s ongoing $650 million capital improvement upgrade project that is intended to strengthen San Francisco’s system-wide infrastructure. The program will replace approximately 270 miles of pipeline in the City by the end of 2014. The goal is to have a more reliable system that requires less maintenance and lower energy costs.

Concern about the reliability of iron and steel pipes has existed since 1989, when PG&E experienced one failure of a high-strength plastic piping system during the Loma Prieta Earthquake compared to numerous cast iron and steel pipe failures, including major ones in the Marina District.
The new plastic pipelines will be more resistant to earthquakes because the material is strong but flexible; older gas lines are rigid and do not respond as well to the shaking caused during an earthquake.

The new lines running from the street to various buildings and homes respond by flexing with the movement caused by an earthquake. The work surrounding the project may also require the relocation of gas meters as required under current California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) requirements.

Joe Molica, a PG&E spokesperson, said PG&E is making every effort to minimize disruptions during this time period, but that some noise and dust are unavoidable. While parking in the construction areas will be reduced, a majority of parking spaces will be available to people in the affected neighborhoods at the end of each workday.

There are no detours planned, but traffic and Muni may be briefly affected at different times during work periods. To inform its customers of possible disturbances, Mike Schwonke addressed business owners at the Merchants of Upper Market and Castro’s August meeting.

For more information about the Gas Pipeline Replacement Project, call PG&E at (800) 743-5000.

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