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This week crews will begin working on a a project that will officially “retire” an old natural gas pipeline and will be the source of frequent traffic delays in Decatur.

The city of Decatur says crews working for Atlanta Gas Light are already performing some grouting work on East College Avenue. Work on Sycamore Drive could begin June 24. The entire project could take four weeks, the city says.

“The work will require temporary lane closures and commuters should expect traffic delays,” the city adds.

The old pipeline runs down Sycamore Drive, and travels west along College Avenue before jutting down South Candler Street. The pipeline dates back to the 195o’s.

AGL updated the City Commission during its April 6 meeting. Representatives from the company said as part of the “retirement” process, crews will be grouting the roads which will require digging a hole about the width of a road lane.

The company has to officially close down the line now that it has installed a new pipeline that runs from Riverdale in Clayton County to a connection point near the intersection of Buford Highway and Clairmont Road in DeKalb County.

The locations on Sycamore Drive that will be most affected are near the road’s intersection with Grove Street, the portion of the road past Fairview Street and a portion of the road before Bridlewood Circle.

“Appropriate traffic control will be in place at active work sites and Atlanta Gas Light is coordinating with the City on traffic control measures and communications to neighborhoods in the vicinity of work sites,” the city says. “Local residents are encouraged to use alternate routes where possible during the grouting. Work will be performed during permitted daylight hours Monday through Saturday. If necessary, work will end by noon Friday, July 3 and regular work hours will resume Monday, July 6 in observance of the July 4th holiday.”

The city says the retirement project is a multi-faceted process and work may occur in more than one location.

Here’s a list of project activities, provided by the city:

Excavations – “Grout” points are dug up in the road approximately every 1000 -1500 feet – Excavation sites are about the width of a traffic lane and about 25 feet long ·- Generally occur 3-6 days before the line is filled with concrete – Grout points are plated when not in use – Multiple grout points allow process to move more efficiently Grouting – Several concrete mixers per day will arrive at a grout point to pump concrete into the pipe – Grouting cannot be stopped once it is started – Grouting generally lasts the full work day Restoration – Once a grout point is no longer needed, the excavation will be filled with concrete – The sites will be paved once all work on a street is completed – Disturbed areas in the right of way – such as sidewalks or vegetation – will be restored in conjunction with paving

Here is a map of the project, provided by AGL

AGL MAP