By Carol P. Bartold     

Mar. 1, 2017:  Midland Avenue, closed to traffic between Pondfield and Masterton Roads since late January, reopened on Tuesday, February 28.

The southbound lane was opened on Friday, February 24, following Consolidated Edison work to replace gas lines. The northbound lane remained an active construction zone where gas line replacement continued.

The disruption occurred when drilling work for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Midland Valley Drainage Project disturbed a depression in the pavement near the corner of Midland Avenue and Library Lane and caused enough of a shift in the soil to open a sinkhole.

Consolidated Edison monitored conditions at the opening and performed subsequent excavation, which revealed old cast-iron gas lines of questionable integrity. Village officials authorized Consolidated Edison to perform the necessary work to install new steel gas lines. 

Mayor Mary Marvin noted that village officials and Consolidated Edison seized the opportunity to complete a badly needed repair. Closure of Midland Avenue allowed the village to authorize work to proceed on holidays and weekends.

Jim Palmer, village administrator, reported that two gas lines have been replaced, a 12-inch medium-pressure line and a low-pressure line. "It made sense to do the replacement at this time, since some of the roadway was already being excavated in conjunction with the flood project," he stated.

Palmer added that Consolidated Edison was expected to complete its work on Tuesday afternoon.

"I have decided that good comes out of everything," said Mayor Mary Marvin. "We will have a state-of-the-art gas system in a critical area of the village as a result of the flood control project construction problem."

Pictured here:  The corner of Midland Avenue and Pondfield Road, where Con Edison worked on underground gas lines.

Photos by A. Warner