Work to repair Woodbridge gas lines ongoing. Cost? Anyone’s guess.

We asked Washington Gas spokesman Jim Monroe for an update on the work to repair leaking gas lines in the Marumsco Hills neighborhood. 

You’ll remember the utility earlier this year detected leaks in 10 major gas leaks after a home exploded. Firefighters called to the home just made it to safety before a fireball ripped through the house. 

Monroe directed us to a Washington Gas website full of FAQs on the Marumsco Hills Replacement Project. It was helpful, but we had some more questions

Below, here are our questions and Monroe’s responses: 

PL: Where is Washington Gas in the process of the repair work? (ex: 10% complete? 30% complete?)

Washington Gas: Started in late April. Expect the project to be completed in 12-18 months.

PL: What is total repair cost?

Washington Gas: Uriah, we do not break out costs like this.

PL: Will the cost of repairs be passed along to customers in this neighborhood, and / or customers elsewhere?

Washington Gas: This project is being implemented as part of the VA-state approved SAVE accelerated pipeline replacement program. While there is no immediate requirement to replace this infrastructure, it’s likely we would have initiated a project to replace gas infrastructure in this area in the next few years. Given the incident in February, we made a decision to accelerate this replacement now to address understandable community concerns. SAVE is a VA ratepayer-funded program.

Senator Jeremy McPike held a town hall meeting about he replacement project following the explosion. Woodbridge District Supervisor Frank Principi also held another town hall on the issue on May 4, said Monroe.