Muraco to Get a New Gas Line

In the next few weeks, residents of Spruce Street, Swanton Street, Florence Street and Irving Street could see some roadwork being done along the street.

National Grid will be running a gas line from the back of Winchester High School through the areas and connect it to the new boilers at Muraco Elementary School. According to Bruce Edwards of National Grid, Muraco needs a high-pressure line in order to operate the boiler and the line at the high school is the closest point.

"In front of (Muraco) there is low-pressure gas," Edwards said. "And the system is to the point where it is not able to support it. The only way we can supply the gas the school needs is to go to a high pressure main, which is located at the high school."

The four-inch plastic main pipe will run approximately 2,355 feet.

The construction should begin within the next few weeks, and should take about four to six weeks to complete. According to Edwards, the construction will be completed by the time winter rolls around.

However, local resident Dave Lewin, who lives off of Spruce Street expressed concern over the construction and the running of the high-pressure line through a residential area.

"I would prefer if it weren't in front of my house," Lewin said. "Wouldn't it be safe to keep it outside a residential area? Is this because there's a difference between an ideal location or it because this is the shortest and cheapest route? I just prefer that it's outside the residential area. I prefer if my house didn't blow up."

Edwards assured Lewin, the construction will not impact his house or the area and that all gas pipes will need to be changed eventually. They will not need to turn off the gas to those houses, and Edwards said that if those residential areas ever need to use high-pressure lines, they would be able to access it.

"Today everything is plastic that we put in," Edwards said. "Wherever we can put in high pressure we do. But we don't put it everywhere. The system we have in Muraco School cannot support a (low-pressure) system."

According to Edwards, high-pressure lines are run throughout residential areas and in cities and there is no need to be concerned.

"There's no need to worry," Edwards said. "We're going to take all the necessary precautions. We know this is safe."