Beginning Wednesday, April 27th NIPSCO will start construction to perform routine maintenance work near the intersection of Sample Road and South Mayflower Road in South Bend. This work is part of the company’s overall plan to enhance, modernize and upgrade the natural gas system in the NIPSCO service territory to ensure customers continue to receive a safe and reliable source of energy for future years.
To ensure the safety of local residents and onsite crews as maintenance work is being performed on the natural gas pipeline a portion of Sample Road, east of South Mayflower Road, will have a full road closure in place that is expected to last no more than four weeks, weather permitting.
Road closure signage and the designated detour route will posted ahead of time. Please exercise extra caution when traveling near marked construction zones. Be sure to slow down and follow the direction of on-site crew members and posted signs including detour routes.
NIPSCO approved contractor, Graycor, will be supporting this planned project work.
Customers are not expected to experience any interruptions to their existing natural gas service as a result of this work.
NIPSCO appreciates the patience of the community as this work is being performed and will continue to work with local South Bend officials to minimize community impact throughout the duration of the project.
For your safety, NIPSCO encourages anyone who may detect natural gas odors, regardless of whether or not they suspect it’s related to this project, to call 1-800-4-NIPSCO (1-800-464-7726). A service technician will be sent to ensure the safety of the area.
Detecting a Gas Leak
Since natural gas is colorless and odorless, NIPSCO adds a harmless, non-toxic chemical that makes it easier to detect a gas leak before it can create a hazardous situation. The chemical, called mercaptan, smells a lot like rotten eggs.
When You Smell Natural Gas
If you detect natural gas, remember to “stop, leave, call”:
• Stop what you’re doing: Don't smoke or light a match. Don't open the windows. Don’t use anything that could cause a spark, like a phone, light switch, appliance or flashlight. Don’t start your car or use your garage door to leave.
• Leave the area: If you're inside, get out immediately. If you're outside, leave the area quickly.
• Call us and 911: From a safe location, away from the building, call 911 and our emergency number at 1-800-634-3524 and wait for crews to arrive.
For more safety related information, visit NIPSCO.com/StaySafe.
