Blue Ridge Pipeline - Gilmer County, GA

POND provided engineering design, survey, SUE and land acquisition services for a 23-mile natural gas distribution pipeline extending from Ellijay to Blue Ridge in the North Georgia mountains. The pipeline began in a heavily developed area inside downtown Ellijay where subsurface utilities were dense. The pipeline passed under the Ellijay River multiple times. From Ellijay the pipeline tracked mountain roads which often followed streams. As a result, the design had to accommodate several areas of environmental wetlands, rocky soils, and extreme grade changes. Land acquisition for the route included a combination of public right-of-way and private land upon which temporary and permanent easements were purchased.

The project featured multiple horizontal directional drills to avoid disturbing environmental wetlands, stream buffers, railroads, and highways. The HDD design provided by POND included specific requirements for wall thickness on the pipe as well as ensuring the bore angles were possible in the now rocky sub-grade. Dam inspections were included where the line crossed man-made lakes along the route to ensure the installation did not damage the structures. In several drills, a low pressure plastic distribution pipeline was installed along with the steel main. The design scope also involved cathodic protection design, as-built engineering, and support during the construction phase of the project.

POND’s responsiveness and willingness to partner with AGL ensured the project met their goals and expectations. Schedule was paramount in the eyes of the client. This project experienced a number of unexpected challenges that required the entire team from AGL and POND to make swift adjustments to keep the project on track. Frequent impromptu meetings on the project site as well as in AGL’s office kept the team focused and moving toward the critical path.

Pin It on Pinterest