The Process

As part of Atlanta Gas Light's commitment to meet customers' need for natural gas and our obligation to provide enough to serve them on the coldest days of the year, we are installing a new natural gas main in your area as part of the McGinnis Ferry Improvement Project.

Improving the pressure in your community means you can be assured of having natural gas when you need it the most. The McGinnis Ferry Improvement Project will start in September 2022 and continue through mid-2023. As with all our projects, safety is a top priority. We will make every effort to minimize inconveniences to property owners and community members along the route.

Pipeline Installation Process

1. Surveying the right-of-way

2. Clearing the right-of-way

3. Transporting the pipe to the right-of-way

4. Welding the pipe

5. Digging a trench for the pipe

6. Lowering the pipe into the trench

7. Backfilling the trench

8. Directional Drilling/ Boring pipe under rivers, roadways, or railroads

9. Pressure-testing the pipe

10. Restoring the right-of-way to its preconstruction condition

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as Atlanta Gas Light continues to invest in improvements in our system to provide safe, reliable natural gas to homes and businesses in your area.

Three Steps Forward

1. Preconstruction

Crews will mark the gas lines and the other underground lines to help prevent accidental damage or disruption to these services during the pipeline replacement work. It is important that these markings and flags remain visible throughout the project for the safety of the public and the crews at the job sites. The paint used to mark the lines is not permanent and will wash away gradually.

2. Main Installation

Crews will install a new gas main in right-of-way along the street or behind the curb/under the sidewalk. This project will involve “open cut” pipe installation, where we will dig a narrow trench to install the pipe and also a technique called directional drilling or boring. Underground directional drilling or boring avoids the need for open trenches across roads and other surfaces. Project notifications will be mailed to homes and businesses along the project path and in the vicinity prior to the start of the construction..

A drill rig is used for boring or directional drilling installation. It hollows out a space below ground that the pipe is then pulled through. Sections or “strings” of pipe are lined up in the easement or right-of-way as part of the installation process. The size of the rig varies depending on the size of the pipe and the length of the section being installed.

3. Restoration

Cleanup and temporary restoration will occur as the project progresses. Final restoration will be conducted at the end of the project. It is Atlanta Gas Light’s goal that any area disturbed by the pipeline installation will be restored as closely as possible to its preconstruction condition once the project is complete, while adhering to all local ordinances.

For the safety of the community and our crews, this project will require rolling lane closures. Traffic control measures will be put in place. Atlanta Gas Light will work with property owners and managers to ensure that driveways, neighborhood entrances, and parking lots are accessible during construction or that alternate parking is available. You can also expect noise from machinery and sidewalk closures.