Typical gas line checks and maintenance aren't that invasive. People say they hardly notice when Consumer's Energy comes to check their service lines.
Still, workers will sometimes come multiple times a year to make sure there's nothing wrong with the pipes.
"We're always inspecting," explains Terry DeDoes of Consumer's, "we're always doing driving surveys, inspecting our natural gas lines to make sure they're not leaking."
But Consumer's will cut down on those inspections by upgrading its lines across Michigan.
"They're upgrading the copper lines that are in the ground now to non-corrosive plastic lines that will help increase reliability and safety for our customers," says DeDoes.
It's part of a $440 million project to upgrade these gas lines across the state, with multiple projects here in mid-Michigan.
The project on Monday in Jackson is a minor one that will only take a week or so. The one expected to start up soon in Lansing won't be finished until September.
Which is why Consumer's is focusing on the smaller projects first.
"That project is set up but they're working today because they want to have a push on getting these service lines replaces, concentrating on this area today."
The upcoming project in Lansing will replace more than 8000 feet of gas main, and will affect traffic at least for a short period of time.
But Consumer's says these line upgrades need to happen eventually.
"We need to make sure they continue to deliver natural gas continually and safely to our customers."
