DTE Energy is making natural gas pipeline upgrades near NMC’s Front Street campus to keep the community’s service safe and reliable. As part of this work, crews are scheduled to conduct a controlled gas flare on Tuesday, Oct. 6, beginning around 8:30 a.m. and lasting until approximately 3 p.m.
During this routine process, odorant will be injected into the new gas main near Eighth Street and Hastings Street, several blocks south of Front Street campus. Crews will then conduct a controlled flare operation in the northwest corner of the Traverse City Central High School parking lot, near Eastern Avenue and Milliken Street, to the northwest of NMC. The flare may be visible to nearby residents and businesses and may be accompanied by a slight rotten egg odor and low roaring sound. This is a routine procedure, and natural gas service will not be interrupted. Traffic control will be in place near the two main work areas, but no road closures or detours are expected.
The odorant will remain in the pipe for about one week, with crews expected to purge the remaining gas/odorant from the line on or around Tuesday, Oct. 13, using a second, shorter flare operation. If you have general or non-emergency questions about the work, call (616) 632-2620, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
As always, if you believe you detect a natural gas leak at your property, leave the area immediately, call 911, then call DTE’s dedicated natural gas leak hotline at (800) 947-5000.