Milton is investing $10M in replacing the city’s 80-year-old gas lines

• The city of Milton received a $10 million federal government grant to replace 12 miles of aging pipes
• It is estimated that Milton has 4.38 miles of cast iron and 7.91 miles of steel natural gas mains that are vulnerable to leaks
• Work to install new polyurethane pipes should start in the next 60 to 90 days, and the full project is expected to take two years to complete

Twelve miles of Milton gas line infrastructure, some of it 80 years old, will be replaced in coming months by new piping obtained with a $10 million federal government grant.

Damond Smith, a representative of the national Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration, was among a small group of dignitaries present at Milton City Hall on May 1 to conduct a makeshift ground breaking for the project. His job, he said, is to review grant applications and monitor the money going out through his agency.

Milton announced receipt of the grant in April of 2023 at a ceremony similar to the one held Thursday. At that time it was announced that the city’s $10 million check was one of only two, and by far the largest of those, to be presented within the state of Florida and one of but 37 distributed across the country.

The grants were issued as part of a historic allocation of $196 million that year from PHMSA, which is a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Grant announcement: City of Milton awarded $10 million in federal funds for repair of aging gas lines

It is estimated that Milton has 4.38 miles of cast iron and 7.91 miles of steel natural gas mains within its distribution system that are vulnerable to leaks. Those lines will be replaced using durable polyurethane.

“This project will allow us to create jobs, reduce methane emissions and ensure the safe, reliable delivery of natural gas to our customers,” Milton City Manager Ed Spears told those gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony. “Today’s groundbreaking marks a critical investment in Milton’s future, in our infrastructure, our neighborhoods and our safety.”

Smith said it wasn’t surprising two years had transpired between the time the city received its award and Thursday’s ground breaking – on average it requires 18 months to two years to bring a project like this to shovel-ready status.

Environmental assessments and engineering design work are among the items required before actual work can get underway.

While it is anticipated the new polyurethane gas lines will be initially run along main downtown thoroughfares like Stewart Street, Berryhill Road and Woodbine Road, according to Milton public information officer Bethany Anderson, a definitive decision as to what areas will be the beneficiaries of the new piping has yet to be made.

Other areas where new lines will be laid include Bagdad and East Milton near Ward Basin Road, portions of U.S. Highway 90, portions of Old U.S. Highway 90, portions of West Spencer Field Road near U.S. 90 and the Floridatown area.

When dealing with pipes over 80 years old, though, Anderson said, “some of this may be following a path of least resistance.”

More will be known about where lines will be laid following a pre-construction meeting to be conducted in the next 20 days or so, according to Clay Miller with Equix Energy Services, the company contracted to install the work.

“This will all be done according to the engineer’s plan,” Miller said. “The plan is fluid, but we should start work in the next 60 to 90 days.”

Spears said it is expected the installation project will take two years to complete.

Spears welcomed city residents to follow the progress of the gas line installation on the city’s website or through local media.