Rochester Gas & Electric will start an excavation on-campus in order to commence an exploration and replacement of gas lines that run between Erwin Hall and Bailey Hall. The project may cause some blockage on the sidewalk near Bailey Hall.
The projected development is slated to last from Nov. 20, to Dec. 1. The project will last for approximately two weeks in total and is not expected to cause excessive noise on-campus, however, from Nov. 20 to 22, there may be increased noise levels in the construction area. The aim of this development is not only to test the current gas lines, but also to install new ones, according to Director of Facilities and Planning Michael Neiderbach.
“Basically, our focus has been on minimizing disruption,” Neiderbach said. “Instead of going through all of the sidewalk, we convinced RG&E to go across the College Green. It’ll be pretty limited in scope, and it’s not a very long project.”
Similar to other developing projects at Geneseo, this venture is geared toward the upkeep of infrastructure as the old gas and water lines are beginning to deteriorate, according to Neiderbach. RG&E is replacing gas lines with new and slightly larger piping for the gas, which might enhance their quality, according to Neiderbach.
“The new gas lines would improve volume and safety,” Neiderbach said. “This is a line that RG&E operates and maintains. They did something very similar at my house where they dug a hole in my yard to put a new gas line in. We were grateful for that because we don’t want a gas leak.”
The construction will not take away either the north or south entrances to Bailey Hall, but it may cause interference on the sidewalk along the western side of the building, according to Neiderbach. RG&E workers might need to excavate the ground there in order to replace piping, which could potentially interrupt the flow of pedestrian traffic.
“I usually use the entrance near Bank Street,” psychology major senior Bladimir Medina said. “I come from Main Street when I go to Bailey.”
Psychology major senior Kyle Walsh similarly doubts the excavation will prove much of an inconvenience, as he does not often walk between Erwin Hall and Bailey Hall.
“I really don’t mind the construction,” Walsh said. “I think the gas flow is fine, but if they could do anything to turn the heat down in Bailey, I’d be a fan.”
News editor Malachy Dempsey contributed reporting to this article.u
Rochester Gas & Electric will proceed with a construction operation that will insert new gas piping in place of the current worn piping. As its plan currently stands, the construction is unlikely to disrupt pedestrian traffic, but it may obstruct a part of the sidewalk between the College Green and Bailey Hall. (Ellayna Fredericks/Assoc. Photo Editor)