Portions of Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent are enjoying natural gas service thanks to the replacement of a key pipeline.
Enbridge announced Tuesday that its replacement Windsor pipeline is now in operation. The line serves portions of Chatham-Kent, along with Leamington, Lakeshore, Tecumseh, Essex, and the City of Windsor.
"With what promises to be a cold upcoming winter season, it is as important as ever that we work to ensure our infrastructure and assets are resilient and dependable for when our customers and their communities need them most," said Enbridge Gas Southwest Region Manager Brian Chauvin.
The pipeline is six inches in diameter and follows a 64-kilometre route from the Enbridge Sandwich Compressor in Tecumseh, along County Road 46 and Lakeshore Road 309, followed by Goodreau Line before ending at Enbridge's Alma Gate Station in Chatham-Kent.
The Ontario Energy Board approved the leave-to-construct permit in April 2020, and construction began the following month. The work was completed on time.
"We would like to thank the residents and businesses of the Town of Tecumseh, the Municipality of Lakeshore and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent for your patience as this project was completed," said Chauvin. "Furthermore, we wish to thank local Indigenous communities, landowners and government agencies for their support."
The project was also a springboard for community events. Enbridge employees and Aecon, the chief pipeline contractor, raised $30,000 through charity barbeques, a fish fry, and a summer safety challenge.