KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Crews with the Knoxville Utilities Board have been hard at work installing new infrastructure along Cumberland Avenue. The utility company said they also innovated while installing a new natural gas line.
On social media, KUB said crews used the old natural gas pipe as a sleeve for the new line — effectively running a smaller pipe through the larger, older pipe so it has an extra level of protection and could be more easily installed. KUB said crews also replaced a large water main as part of their work.
"This unique aspect of the infrastructure replacement project is just one example of the coordination and care our engineering and construction groups put into projects to maximize efficiency," KUB said on social media.
KUB said the work was part of its Century II infrastructure management program, which started in 2007. As part of the program, KUB said it includes strategies for maintaining and replacing systems that were in place before 2007 and establishes new replacement cycles.
By the end of the 2023 fiscal year, KUB said its natural gas system was made up of around 92% polyethylene pipe, which has less maintenance and installation costs.