More National Grid construction work planned around the city

By AUBREY HAWKE
Waltham Times Contributing Writer

A National Grid project to replace old gas mains in the McDevitt Middle School neighborhood got a preliminary go-ahead from the city last week.

The city’s Licenses and Franchises Committee approved the utility’s plans at its Feb. 3 meeting. 

This City Council still must approve the company’s plans before National Grid can start work.

National Grid, a gas and electric utility company serving city residents, plans to replace a few thousand feet of old gas mains along School and Church streets. The company said parts of the cast iron main in that area date back to 1916. 

Ward 7 Councilor Paul S. Katz raised concerns about the project, asking about construction interfering with school operations and the number of major National Grid projects that have come before the City Council in recent months. 

Late last year National Grid had two major gas main replacement projects go before the City Council. One of those projects involves replacing more than 2,000 feet of gas mains under Second Avenue with larger pipes to increase gas capacity. Another project involves replacing more than 2,000 feet of old, leaking gas pipes along South Street. 

National Grid said it will likely stagger the projects and will work with city officials on the timing. Utility officials also said the company will work with the Police Department to ensure police details are available for traffic control.

National Grid plans to start construction on the McDevitt-area project in June, a timeline that it said will help avoid disrupting McDevitt operations.