Will County to Pay Enbridge $82,000 to Relocate Pipeline Equipment for Exchange Street Improvements

Article Summary: Will County will reimburse Enbridge Energy for costs associated with relocating its pipeline facilities to make way for roadway improvements on Exchange Street in the Monee and Crete area. The County Board approved an agreement for an estimated $82,018, acknowledging that Enbridge has superior rights in its existing easement.

Enbridge Relocation Agreement Key Points:

• Project: The county is planning roadway improvements on Exchange Street (CH 49) from Country Lane to Michaels Street.

• Action: The board approved an agreement to reimburse Enbridge for up to $82,018 to relocate its equipment.

• Reason: The road project conflicts with Enbridge’s existing easement, where the company has superior legal rights, obligating the county to cover relocation costs.

• Work: The project involves relocating a solid-state decoupler, test stations, and related wiring and trenching.

CRETE/MONEE — Will County will pay Enbridge Energy an estimated $82,018 to move pipeline infrastructure that is in the path of planned improvements to Exchange Street (CH 49) near Crete and Monee. The Will County Board approved an intergovernmental agreement on Thursday to reimburse the energy company for the work.

The relocation is necessary for the county to proceed with its project to reconstruct and widen Exchange Street from Country Lane to Michaels Street. According to the agreement, Enbridge holds a superior right-of-way in its existing easement, meaning the county is legally obligated to pay for the cost of moving any conflicting facilities.

The work, detailed in a business proposal from Enbridge contractor Lake Superior Consulting, involves relocating a solid-state decoupler and two test stations (L78 and L62) that are part of the pipeline’s cathodic protection system. The process will include procuring materials, hydro-excavation to expose the pipeline, trenching, splicing wires, and installing new test stations outside the proposed road widening project.

The board unanimously approved the resolution. The reimbursement will be paid from a combination of the county’s Motor Fuel Tax, RTA Tax, County Highway Tax, or other available transportation funds. The final cost will be based on the actual expenses incurred by Enbridge.