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Pipeline work to impact Palo Alto traffic
PG&E ordered to inspect, replace parts of Line 109 along Foothill Expressway

by Sue Dremann

A major, three-month-long Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) pipeline-replacement project in Palo Alto is expected to impact traffic and will start this month, PG&E has announced.

The project involves excavating, removing and replacing parts of Line 109, which is one of the major transmission lines the state required PG&E to inspect for leaks after the deadly 2010 San Bruno explosion and fire.

Segments of aging pipeline underneath Miranda Avenue, which parallels Foothill Expressway, and along Junipero Serra Boulevard from Page Mill Road to Alpine Road in Palo Alto are expected to be replaced, according to the utility company. Work could last until early November, although weather and other factors affecting safe working conditions could change the schedule.

Traffic lanes will be closed going northbound on Miranda, from the Palo Alto VA Healthcare System to near Page Mill, and on Junipero Serra from Page Mill to Alpine during construction. Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times, and flaggers will direct traffic, according to a PG&E statement. It is expected that the work will cause minor traffic delays.

To minimize traffic problems during peak commute hours, crews may work in the evening and early morning hours. Gas service will continue without interruption in most cases, PG&E officials stated. If an interruption is necessary, a PG&E representative will contact residents and businesses. Access to some driveways may occasionally be affected, but crews can provide access within a few minutes of a resident's request.

Residents and passersby may smell gas and hear a loud, steady noise as PG&E vents natural gas from the pipeline.

The company can notify people prior to venting; those wishing to receive a notification phone message can contact Lizz Williams at 408-282-7640 by no later than Aug. 10. PG&E has also set up a 24-hour hotline at 800-743-5000.

Residents with questions may also call the City of Palo Alto Utilities department at 650-329-2474 or email debra.katz@cityofpaloalto.org.

PG&E has been replacing pipe around town, including along Charleston and Embarcadero roads, since June.

Staff Writer Sue Dremann can be emailed at sdremann@paweekly.com.

Posted by too many cars, a resident of the Greater Miranda neighborhood, on Aug 5, 2012 at 7:06 pm

"Traffic lanes will be closed going northbound on Miranda, from the Palo Alto VA Healthcare System to near Page Mill, and on Junipero Serra from Page Mill to Alpine during construction"

The city should consider keeping these lanes closed permanently as part of their plan to go on a "road diet". This will increase the number of people that walk/bike instead of using their cars and bring us closer to the city's goal of walkable nighborhoods.

Posted by Always a mess!!, a resident of the Fairmeadow neighborhood, on Aug 6, 2012 at 9:56 pm

This is nothing new East Charleston has been a mess for the last couple of months. I suppose what their telling us is they plan to extend the chaos to other parts of south Palo Alto - Oh swell!!!!