Black Hills Energy is continuing infrastructure investments in Eureka Springs in 2024 by updating its natural gas system with modern materials and methods, ensuring safe and reliable energy well into the future, according to a company news release.
In this year’s construction phase, Black Hills Energy crews and contractors Barrows Excavation and Stan Savage Plumbing will work primarily on East and West Spring streets beginning in January and later onto Ravine Road.
“To meet our customers’ growing energy needs and maintain the high level of safety and service our customers rely on, Black Hills Energy is always looking ahead and planning investments in our reliable and sustainable system,” said Joey Msall, general manager of operations at Black Hills Energy in Arkansas. “We greatly appreciate our partnership with the City of Eureka Springs as we execute our plan to support this community. Black Hills Energy is committed to providing an advanced, modern gas system that will serve this community for future generations.”
Construction will include technicians locating and marking underground utility lines and working along roads and in the public right of way. Temporary lane closures may be necessary for safety precautions.
Natural gas meters will also be moved to safer locations to avoid potential damages due to vehicles or other hazards near roads. Affected customers along the replacement route will be contacted directly to notify of the changes and temporary gas service interruption. A technician will be available, at no cost, to inspect natural gas piping inside homes for safety and code compliance and answer questions.
In this multi-year project upgrading nearly 4,000 feet of natural gas lines in Eureka Springs, Black Hills Energy and its partners replaced lines along Highway 62 including East Mountain Avenue; Drennon Lane; and Harvey, Oak Ridge and Cross streets in 2020. Replacement work continued in 2021 and 2022 on Van Buren; Grand Avenue; Alexander, Breeding, Brush, Crockett, Main and Nut streets; and Douglas and Mill Hollow roads. In 2023, Black Hills Energy crews upgraded gas lines and meters in the vicinity of Spring Street to include the neighborhoods on Lookout Circle; Prospect, King and Cottage streets; Hillside Avenue; and Crescent Drive.
