Pipeline company Kinder Morgan SE Products, formerly Plantation Pipeline, will begin a pipeline relocation and replacement project next month along the rail lines running through the Braddock and Potomac Yard neighborhoods.
The project will replace approximately 2.4 miles of pipeline in the CSX right of way.
“This work is necessary to accommodate the 6-mile Alexandria Fourth Track project and prevent third-party damage to their pipeline, which is the only jet fuel service line to Ronald Reagan National Airport,” the city said in a release.
The release noted that work will generally be performed between 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, though there may be work activity outside of those hours. The project is scheduled to be finished in September.
According to the release:
The project consists of relocating and replacing two sections of an existing 6-inch petroleum pipeline from Business Center Drive to Potomac Yard (refer to image below). The first section, located adjacent to Business Center Drive and Dove Street and ends near Braddock Road Metro Station, will be moved from its current depth of 3-4 feet to a depth of 40-80 feet. Additionally, a small portion of the pipe will shift 2-feet over near the Braddock Road Metro Station, to avoid blocking access to a critical valve.
The second section, also at the same depth, begins near the south end of Main Line Boulevard and ends near the Potomac Yard Metro Station. This section is where the new pipe will be laid. The new pipe meets modern standards and is stronger than the existing pipe that was installed in the 60’s. In between the first and second sections, two block valves will be installed near the King Street-Old Town and Potomac Yard Metro Stations. These valves are used to isolate lines in case of an emergency.
