DANBURY – Eversource is replacing more than 18,600 feet of leak-prone cast iron and bare steel gas lines in the city this year with newer, high-density plastic pipe to ensure the continued safe, reliable delivery of natural gas to its customers. Since 2018, Eversource has replaced nearly 200 miles of aging gas main around the state.
“Cast iron and bare steel mains become brittle over time due to the freezing and thawing cycles we experience in Connecticut, which is why for the last several years replacing those leak-prone pipes has remained a top priority for us,” said Eversource Vice President of Gas Operations Michael Needham. “These vital improvements reduce carbon emissions, modernize the gas distribution system, and minimize repairs and any service interruptions.”
This work falls under the state’s accelerated replacement program and supports long-term reliability for a fuel source that thousands of people depend on, especially in the winter. Many of the cast iron and bare steel pipes being replaced in Danbury are decades old, and some have been in service for more than 100 years. These substantial investments are a critical component of providing safe and reliable natural gas service to all customers.
Work is underway or scheduled through the end of the year in various areas across the city of Danbury, including:
- 9th, Forest, Virginia and Westville avenues
- Ohehyahtah Place
- Golden Hill Road
- 5th, Abbott, Beckett, James, Montgomery, Stevens, West, West Wooster and White streets.
As part of the project, dozens of customers’ gas service lines will be replaced and a majority of those homes and businesses with inside gas meters will be moved outside. Customers may experience a short disruption to their natural gas service when the new line is being activated, and they will be notified in advance by letter, phone or an in-person visit.
Eversource continues to communicate and work closely with community leaders and customers where the projects are being done to minimize impacts to traffic and coordinate with other roadwork happening in the community.
Weather permitting, all current gas line improvement work is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with final road restoration dependent on the project timeline. Work to replace an additional 25,000 feet of aging gas main across Danbury is scheduled to begin in 2026.
