(This story has been updated below)

Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company (TGP), a subsidiary of El Paso Corporation, expects to begin excavating a trench across the Lackawaxen River this weekend in preparation for laying the length of 30-inch diameter steel natural gas transmission pipeline that will connect on either side of the river to existing pipeline sections.

According to TGP spokesman Loren Locher, a trench approximately nine to 12 feet in depth will be dug during this stage of the ongoing expansion of the Pike County portion of the Tennessee Gas Pipeline 300 Project in Lackawaxen Township. That depth targets creation of a five foot cover over the pipeline at the river’s lowest level.

“TGP will remove the materials from the river bed and set aside the spoil temporarily, then replace it following the pipeline installation,” said Locher.

See www.elpaso.com/tgp300lineproject/ for more information. TGP is proposing an additional expansion of the 300 Line. Visit www.northeastupgradeproject.com to learn more.

THIS STORY WAS UPDATED ON AUGUST 25 WITH THE FOLLOWING:

Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP) and the Departments of Environmental Protection in New Jersey and Pennsylvania are coordinating Hurricane Irene preparedness efforts in areas where the company’s 300 Line Project is currently under construction.

TGP announced it is “continuing to work with local emergency responders, monitoring the weather, tracking Hurricane Irene’s path and identifying proactive measures that can be implemented to protect sensitive resources.”

General preparations include deferring some stream crossing work until the storm has passed; addressing road bores with open pits to prevent undermining roads due to wash outs; installing additional slope breakers in steep areas of the right of way; reinforcing existing environmental control devices (ECDs) including silt fence, hay bales, turbidity curtains, etc.; staging equipment at more sensitive locations to reduce response time if an erosion event should occur and assembling response crews to remain on standby during the rain event.

In Pennsylvania, the following measures are targeted:

Stillwater Lake: Erosion control devices are being placed in advance of the storm.

Lackawaxen River Crossing: Work in the stream may be delayed in anticipation of high water. The location has a rock and flume bridge as well as a rock filter structure that will remain in place during the event.

Dyberry Creek, Shiholah Creek, tributary to Walker Lake and Gun Club Road, as well as steep slopes at Highway 220 and Highway 367 crossings, will have additional erosion control devices.

TGP can be reached toll-free at 866/683-5587.