Brandon Twp.- The number of applications received by Consumers Energy for natural gas service has increased, leading the public utility to approve construction of gas mains on additional roads in the township.
Supervisor Kathy Thurman said Consumers Energy has received a total of 346 applications in the second phase of a project extending gas mains in the township.
Seven weeks ago, Consumers was at about 320 sign-ups and while the number has only increased 26, it is enough to reach the goal of 50 percent participation on Lakeview Drive, all of Flint Boulevard, Granger Road (west of Sashabaw Road), Deerpath, Granger Hills, Meadow Lake Lane, and Rowlinson.
Additionally, Thurman said Consumers has decided they will run a main gas line from Baldwin and Davison Lake Road area to Granger and Sashabaw roads.
‘So at the same time they install that gas line, they will install a smaller gas line that will serve residents on north Baldwin Road between Granger and Davison Lake, and that will pick up both sides of Baldwin, including Oxford Township residents, and it will also pick up residents on Granger between Baldwin and Sashabaw,? said Thurman. ‘This project was part of phase three and they are just moving forward with this part of it early. They have to get the gas to the regulator station at the corner of Sashabaw and Granger roads. No 50 percent participation is required, because they have to move through anyway, so they are allowing people to sign on right now.?
Construction on this part of phase three will take place this summer and fall at the same time as phase two.
The total project area for phase two includes more than 800 residences. Consumers Energy had a goal of 50 percent participation, or just over 400 homes. The utility has not yet reached that total goal, but previously released certain roads that had reached 50 percent participation. Those roads are: South Hadley Road; Rolling Acres Drive; Hidden Lake Trail; Laura Lane; Kile D Drive; Arthurs Court; Lancelot Lane; Galahad Drive; Perry Lake Road; Clinton Hills Drive; Flint Boulevard; High Meadow Court; High Meadow Drive; North Ridge Court; Scenic Meadows Court; Scenic Meadows Drive; Walnut Ridge; Walnut Hills Boulevard; Inner Drive; Meadow Woods Trail; Seymour Lake Road; Huff Lake project involves installing all new pipeline alongside the existing pipeline (which will be deactivated and capped). Construction began last year on the first phase of the project, which included 3 miles of pipeline in Groveland Township and 3 miles in Brandon Township.
Enbridge has finished laying pipeline in the ground in Groveland, but has not yet completed restoration work to affected properties in either township. Phase two construction in Brandon is planned for this summer, although Thurman noted the company will again have to obtain consent and proper permits.