Riverdale Pipeline Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Atlanta Gas Light?Atlanta Gas Light delivers natural gas on behalf of approved gas marketers to residences and businesses in your community. We safely operate and maintain a natural gas pipeline system over 55,000 miles long that delivers reliable, environmentally friendly natural gas to more than 1.5 million customers across Georgia.

Why is Atlanta Gas Light working in my neighborhood?
The work in your neighborhood is part of the Georgia Strategic Infrastructure Development and Enhancement Program (STRIDE) which was approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission in October 2009. The program allows us to make necessary upgrades to our pipeline system in the greater metro Atlanta area so we can improve our service to home and business owners on peak demand days.  While Georgia STRIDE is one of our most extensive infrastructure projects to date, it’s just one of many undertaken by Atlanta Gas Light during its 154-year history as we work to bring you and your neighbors environmentally friendly natural gas.
 
Why do you need to upgrade the pipeline system?Atlanta’s greater metropolitan area has experienced rapid growth in the past two decades. Much of that growth has shifted to regions farther removed from Atlanta Gas Light’s existing interstate supply points and high-pressure transmission pipeline system. We need to upgrade the system in order to meet our obligation to provide enough natural gas to serve our customers on the coldest days of the year.

Georgia STRIDE has several additional benefits:

• Georgia STRIDE is stimulating the local economy. We’re excited that our investment is expected to employ 150-200 construction workers each year—everything from right-of-way contractors and heavy-equipment operators to pipefitters and welders.
• When the U.S. economy does recover, our upgraded infrastructure will be able to provide the additional natural gas needed for continued economic development in your community and across the metro Atlanta area.
• Atlanta Gas Light will continue to provide America’s cleanest and domestically abundant fuel to existing and future customers.

In which parts of the metro area will Georgia STRIDE improvements take place?Georgia STRIDE system improvements will target the counties of Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Gwinnett, Fulton, Forsyth, Henry, Paulding and Rockdale.

What does this mean for me?In your community, Atlanta Gas Light will be working on our Riverdale to Ben Hill Pipeline. This improvement entails construction of 12.5 miles of new 24” pipe which will run from Atlanta Gas Light’s liquefied natural gas plant in Riverdale to our regulator station in Ben Hill.

As with all of our construction projects, safety is our top priority. Great care is taken in all phases of the project from beginning to end in each neighborhood. We make every effort to minimize inconveniences to property owners along the route.

Will my natural gas service be interrupted during construction?No, existing natural gas service to homes and businesses will not be interrupted.

What should I expect during the upgrade?In January 2010, representatives from our contractor, Phoenix Solutions, Inc., began surveying our right-of-way, which may be on or adjacent to your property. The surveyors have Atlanta Gas Light identification.

Once the surveying is complete, we will notify property owners of our work schedule in advance before we begin construction. Work will primarily be performed during the day, Monday through Saturday. Although we will move as quickly as possible, factors such as topography and housing density will determine how long it will take to safely complete the work on each section of pipeline.

What is a pipeline right-of-way?A right-of-way – or easement – is a strip of land on which a property owner grants to another party the right to use the land for a specific purpose – in this case, Atlanta Gas Light’s right to operate, maintain and, if necessary, replace or add a natural gas pipeline. During construction, additional temporary space may be needed to accommodate heavy equipment. After construction has been completed, the easement will be restored to its pre-construction condition.

How was the route for the Riverdale to Ben Hill Pipeline selected?The majority of the route is along existing Atlanta Gas Light pipeline easements. With the upgrades we’ll be making, this route allows us to efficiently meet our obligation to provide enough natural gas to serve our customers on the coldest days of the year.

How long will construction of Riverdale to Ben Hill Pipeline take and how will it be performed?Construction of the Riverdale to Ben Hill Pipeline began in January 2010 and will be completed by the end of the year. The work requires heavy equipment and will employ a large number of workers.

Generally speaking, pipeline construction involves the following steps: 1) surveying the right-of-way; 2) clearing the right-of-way; 3) transporting the pipe to the right-of-way; 4) welding the pipe; 5) digging a trench for the pipe; 6) lowering the pipe into the trench; 7) back-filling the trench; 8) pressure testing the pipe; and 9) restoring the right-of-way to its pre-construction condition.

To minimize traffic disruptions, Atlanta Gas Light will be using a technique called directional boring, when possible, under streets and parking lots. Underground directional boring avoids the need for open trenches across roads and other surfaces. However, we may need to temporarily close some streets in some locations during construction. If that is the case, we’ll work with the local jurisdictions and provide you plenty of advance notice.

How does the presence of a right-of-way affect the use of my property?There are a few property owner restrictions that come with a pipeline right-of-way in order to protect the safety of the pipe. These include prohibitions against erecting structures; doing any kind of excavation, construction and drilling; or planting of trees in the easement.

Will you notify me prior to surveying on or around my property?Since Atlanta Gas Light has an easement on the property, permission is not required for our employees and contractors to be on site and performing work. However, we will notify you when we need to access your property just off the right-of-way.

Many surface features of the area along the route have changed since Atlanta Gas Light acquired this pipeline over 50 years ago. The survey will give us the most current information available which will enable us to complete construction of the Riverdale to Ben Hill Pipeline more efficiently.

Did the Georgia Public Service Commission approve this program?
Yes, the Georgia Public Service Commission approved Atlanta Gas Light’s plan to make these necessary upgrades to our system on Oct. 6, 2009.

If I have questions, who do I contact?A representative from Phoenix Solutions, Inc. will be on-site throughout the construction process if you have any questions about our system improvements. You also may contact Atlanta Gas Light directly at 404-584-3111 or by email, riverdale@aglresources.com.

 

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