Skip to content

Pipeline restoration work well under way

The Southern Access Extension Pipeline Project was successful in achieving its December 2015 in-service date. Restoration, which is the final phase of the project, is under way and will continue through the end of summer 2016.
Restoration crews are preparing to return the right of way to conditions established under landowner agreements and regulatory agencies.
The Illinois Extension Pipeline Co. has been assessing soil conditions and other environmental considerations to optimize successful restoration.
The IEPC will give landowners as much notice as possible before restoration work on their property begins.
Generally, a restoration crew will be able to restore an average of three quarters of a mile (about 4,000 feet) a day, depending on the land type and usage.
Residents can expect to see the following activities during the restoration phase:
• Removal of leftover debris.
• Decompacting soil in farm fields and restoring rough grade.
• Seeding and mulching.
• Fence repair.
• Removal of mats, bridges and access points.
Environmental and utility crews will be mobilized to respond to any subsidence or drainage issues that create access problems for landowners, public safety issues or environmental compliance issues.
Restoration will take place along the entire pipeline route.
Residents along the route and in surrounding communities are asked to use caution when driving near areas of pipeline restoration work.
Watch for flaggers, caution signs and slow traffic. For the safety of workers, residents and others are asked not to enter work areas.
The SAX Pipeline is a 168-mile long, 24-inch-diameter pipeline that is transporting crude oil from Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership’s Flanagan Terminal near Pontiac to an existing crude oil terminal near Patoka.
The pipeline is operated by Enbridge Energy and owned by Illinois Extension Pipeline Co. LLC., a joint venture between Enbridge affiliate, Enbridge Energy Co. Inc., and Lincoln Pipeline LLC, a subsidiary of Marathon Pipeline Co. Inc. For more information, visit the project website: www.enbridge.com/southernaccessextensionproject.com.

Leave a Comment