National Grid Work Continues on Queens Gas Reliability Project

Investment will modernize natural gas system, improve safety, reliability and support energy needs of local communities

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – National Grid continues construction work on the Queens Gas Reliability Project, a multi-million dollar undertaking to modernize the gas system in Queens, improving safety, reliability and supporting the energy needs of the local community.

Beginning next week National Grid and its contractor, Network Infrastructure, will be working along Lefferts Boulevard between 84th and 89th avenues. Work will be performed Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and crews will also work in some areas on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The construction process typically takes about four to five weeks to complete per neighborhood.

Crews will be progressing in short segments to minimize disruption as much as possible. Portions of the construction work are coordinated with New York City agencies to coincide with other planned essential underground infrastructure upgrades to improve the way street work is conducted, minimizing impact to communities.

“The Queens Gas Reliability Project is an example of our Connect 21 vision to modernize our energy delivery system and to help customers take control of their energy use,” said Mike Ruiz, director, Community and Customer Management, National Grid. “This project is important to strengthening the network for our Queens customers and it’s a good example of how the company works closely with local communities and City agencies on complex construction projects.”

As part of a comprehensive outreach program for the Queens Reliability Project, National Grid’s outreach team has gone door-to-door to provide notices and door hangers for the businesses and residents along the route with information about the project. The company’s outreach also includes meetings with local business organizations and community boards, digital outreach tools and onsite construction signs.

National Grid is investing more than $100 million in the Queens Gas Reliability Project to install more than six miles of new gas mains through Central Queens from Rockaway Boulevard in Southern Queens to just north of the Long Island Expressway to meet the growing energy needs of customers. The work began in January with new gas mains installed in South Ozone Park and Richmond Hill.

Once the six-miles of new gas mains are complete, crews will be working in neighborhoods along the route to upgrade the natural gas service in the local communities. The work on the smaller projects will begin in 2016 and all of the work is expected to be completed in the spring of 2016 but work could extend beyond that time due to the harsh winter impacting the work schedule.

The Queens Gas Reliability Project is part of National Grid’s $1.3 billion commitment to modernize the natural gas infrastructure in New York State over the next two years. These investments will be focused on replacing aging mains to enhance the safety and integrity of the gas distribution system, installing new mains and other facilities to accommodate customers requesting natural gas service and ensuring adequate natural gas supplies to meet increasing customer demand.

National Grid’s number one priority is the safety of the public, its customers and employees. The company reminds motorists and pedestrians to be cautious in and around utility roadway work zones for their own safety and the safety of National Grid employees and contractors.