Chicago to Replace 1,000 Miles of Aging Gas Pipelines by 2035

Chicago is moving forward with a citywide effort to replace aging gas pipelines, targeting leak-prone infrastructure as part of a long-delayed modernization program.

(P&GJ) — Chicago is moving ahead with a large-scale effort to replace more than 1,000 miles of aging natural gas pipelines, many of which date back more than a century, as part of a citywide infrastructure upgrade, according to Block Club Chicago.

Peoples Gas has resumed work on the program, focusing on older cast- and ductile-iron mains that pose a higher risk of methane leaks. The replacement effort will be carried out in phases and is now scheduled for completion by 2035.

Construction is beginning in select neighborhoods this spring, with work in each area expected to last several months to a year. The utility will install new plastic piping designed for longer service life while taking older lines out of operation.

Rather than removing the original pipes, crews will clear remaining gas and seal them in place before transitioning service to the new system. The work will also require access to residential properties to identify connection points and complete upgrades.

The pipeline replacement effort follows regulatory intervention after earlier delays and cost concerns. State regulators directed the utility to prioritize higher-risk segments and accelerate the timeline, as reported by Block Club Chicago.