PG&E Pipeline in Newark OK

No weaknesses were found in a natural gas pipeline in Newark that was tested by PG&E over the weekend, according an official with the gas and electric company.

After an eight-hour water pressure test, the pipeline showed no faults and the process of normalizing the areas that were affected by the tests will begin, said Brittany Chord, a PG&E communications representative.

“It was successful,” Chord said.

PG&E contractors are expected to be out of Newark by June 24.

The next steps include draining water from the one-mile stretch of pipeline that was tested. A separate test head that was welded onto the pipeline during the hydrostatic pressure tests will be taken off and the pipe will be put back together.

The test was held on Sunday, after being  twice. The original start date was May 31 but was moved because of Memorial Day events at Ardenwood Park, which is near the north end of the pipeline to be tested.

Pre-construction for the tests began on May 26 and the final steps of the project, which include repaving the roads, are expected to continue until June 24.

Partial lane closures that have been in effect on Cedar Boulevard and part of Chapman Drive between Cardiff Street and Donegal Court will stay closed to through traffic until repaving is finished.

The pipeline that was tested stretches from Cedar Boulevard at Lafayette Avenue through Blackburn Drive to Cardiff Street and Chapman Avenue. The pipe, which is 24 inches in diameter, was installed in 1949.

The pipeline testing in Newark is part of PG&E's efforts to test approximately 150 miles of pipelines in highly populated areas that have the same characteristics and age of .