National Grid will begin work today on a monthslong project to replace the underground gas lines along Main Street, from Peabody Square to the Salem line.
The cast-iron lines are more than 120 years old and due for replacement to ensure future efficient operation and service.
The city has given the utility permission to work through the night for the duration of the project, which will ensure the work is completed almost twice as fast. Night work will also minimize disruptions to businesses and Main Street traffic.
According to a recent letter National Grid sent to local businesses, the construction is slated to wrap up June 15, and that is still the goal, said Karen Sawyer, the city's director of planning and community development.
Construction crews will work Monday through Friday from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m., and the city has mandated that street grinding and other disruptive activities halt by 9 p.m.
There will also be some day work from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to connect the lines to businesses and buildings and occasional Saturday work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
"This work schedule will greatly reduce anticipated construction time and mitigate impacts to businesses and motorists," according to a statement from the city.
The timing for the gas line work was scheduled to coincide with a $1.5 million city project to reconfigure Main Street to make it safer, more efficient and more aesthetically pleasing. That separate project is slated to begin in May and wrap up by November.
