LAMORINDA WEEKLY | PG&E work continues in downtown Lafayette


Workers conduct visual gas transmission pipeline inspections April 8 at the intersection of Moraga Road and Mt. Diablo Boulevard in Lafayette. Photo Jennifer Wake

Picnickers at Plaza Park in downtown Lafayette will have to wait a while longer before regaining access to the popular grassy area currently cordoned off with a black fence as Pacific Gas and Electric Company work continues.

PG&E is conducting visual inspections of sections of a gas transmission pipeline (L-191) that goes through Lafayette. This work extends from Moraga Boulevard through Mt. Diablo Boulevard, up to Deer Hill Road near the BART station, according to PG&E spokesperson Tamar Sarkissian. "The safety of our customers and the communities we serve is PG&E's top priority."

There are various locations for this work, Sarkissian noted. "Some sites started this inspection work as early as February. We plan to have all locations done by June, with some finishing sooner. There are no planned service interruptions during this work. At this time, no other PG&E gas work is planned in downtown Lafayette for the next couple of months."

Sod was removed at Plaza Park to access the underground line for the visual inspection, said Sarkissian, but the sod will be replaced "like for like or better" and the fence will be removed as soon as it is safe to do so. "Our goal is to complete the portion of the project at Plaza Park in the coming weeks."