Gas line replacement to occur in St. Clair Shores

ST. CLAIR SHORES — St. Clair Shores residents from Frazho Street to Little Mack Avenue will experience ongoing construction this summer and extending into 2027 as aging gas infrastructure is replaced underground.

Lauren Brosch, community affairs manager for Consumer’s Energy, said the utility will be replacing an underground high pressure gas line. They will use the right of way to complete the project, which will have three phases to it. The first phase was completed in Roseville and the other three phases will be completed in St. Clair Shores.

The first part of the St. Clair Shores project is expected to start in the early spring around late April or early May. That part is expected to end in December and the overall expected completion date is sometime in 2027.

“Residents should be prepared to see construction crews along Frazho to Little Mack and then up from 10 Mile to 11 Mile on Little Mack,” Brosch said.

They will be using the contractor Kaltz Excavating/M.U.E. Inc. for the project which Brosch said is a trusted contractor they’ve used for many years. Planning started around six months ago.

“Any time there is a large-scale project like this you know it takes a lot of planning and coordination with the city engineers, (the) contractor, as well as ourselves,” Brosch said.

“This is to provide reliable safe natural gas delivery to homes and businesses. It’s a modernization of our natural gas system,” Brosch said. “And it also will drastically help cut down on methane emissions.”

The pipe placed in the ground is “modernized” and part of their clean energy program, Brosch said. She also said aging infrastructure could lead to leaks and other things. The St. Clair Shores pipe is original and has never been replaced.

“This is a plan that we’re working through, throughout Macomb County, throughout the state, is replacing this aging infrastructure,” Brosch said.

According to a presentation, the project will temporarily block residential driveways. During construction, driveways will also temporarily be replaced by a gravel-like material and residents will be informed if the contractors plan to block their driveways and other inconveniences that occur during construction.

Consumers Energy gave the city of St. Clair Shores information to post on its social media platforms and website. They also plan on having the contractors visit the residents to provide more information.

They will be using a method called direction bore to place the pipe.

“Essentially underneath the sidewalks, but the construction crews will be in the right of way so they will not be disrupting any gas service to any customers,” Brosch said.

The right of way is in between the sidewalk and the street. More information about the scheduled start date will be provided at a later date.

The mayor and council members asked questions about the project during a presentation about it at their council meeting on Feb. 18.

Councilman John Caron asked about grass restoration, stating they prefer sod.

He also asked if restoration is being done in phases or if it’s going to be done all at once. Representatives said the restoration will be done in phases along with the construction.

Caron also asked if the contractors could restore sidewalks in the same manner as the grass.

“Because we’ve had issues in the past where sidewalks weren’t restored and it went through an entire winter with just black top over them,” Caron said.

Councilman Dave Rubello pointed out this is not a St. Clair Shores specific project and that it is happening in other municipalities and counties. The representative said it is a federal regulation dictating these projects take place due to aging infrastructure.

Councilman Chris Vitale had concerns about cracking sidewalks due to boring under the ground. He asked if the city engineer could come inspect as they go.

“Because the other issue, too, is that of course we’re concerned about residents and inconveniencing them and being able to access their driveway, but this is ultimately our property, the city’s property on these easements. So we need to be sure that it’s restored,” Vitale said.

He cited previous experiences with his own property where he said Consumers Energy did a terrible job replacing the necessary sidewalks and other pieces of property and cleaning up afterward.

“We’re putting you on notice that we’ve already noticed the work in the past,” Vitale said.

For any concerns about the work or related contractors, residents can call Consumers Energy at (800) 760-3295.