Jan 19, 2007 By Steve Ferris 2 min read

A natural gas pipeline relocation project, which is the first phase of a runway extension project, at the Connellsville Airport will begin in the fall and be completed by the end of the year, the airport’s engineering consultant said. The Fayette County Airport Authority is working with Spectra Energy, a company that was recently spun off from Duke Energy to run its gas business, to relocate three of its lines that are under the area of the airport needed for a runway extension project.

Project manager John Lightner of Michael Baker Jr. Inc. of Beaver told authority board members Tuesday that he met with Spectra officials earlier that day and received an update on the gas line relocation project.

The authority has agreed to pay all costs associated with the moving the gas lines, which was estimated to cost $6.5 million, and has received more than $2 million in state and federal grants for the project. Authority officials have said more grant money has been earmarked for the project.

Lightner said work will begin after the gas lines are shut off in September.

Spectra is expected to forward the purchase order for the new lines to the authority soon, he said.

In November, the authority approved a $2.1 payment to reimburse then-Duke for supplies needed for the gas line project.

Spectra has three high-pressure 30-to-36-inch pipelines under the airport property near the end of the main runway.

The lines have to be relocated so the 3,832-foot runway can be extended to 4,500 feet so it can accommodate larger airplanes.