Project Description
The Line 50 Pipeline Relocation project involved installing 3.5 miles of 8-inch-diameter steel natural gas transmission pipeline adjacent to Highway 99 north of Gridley, California. The project was necessary due to the widening of the state highway and the resulting impact on the existing pipeline. The location of the new pipeline was in newly acquired right of way in active rice fields , including land that was environmentally sensitive due to giant garter snake and vernal pool habitat. The construction activity required extensive environmental safe guards as well as continuous environmental monitoring to ensure that the natural habitat was protected during construction.

GTS Involvement
GTS was engaged at the beginning of the project to provide construction management support, ensuring that all permitting and preconstruction activities were in place prior to the construction season. GTS coordinated the development of plans to address the complexity of construction associated with the heavy highway traffic, environmental challenges, and coordination with the rice growers to minimize impacts of flooded rice fields on the construction activity. GTS facilitated project team meetings to identify the key project tasks and milestones, and established a project task list to keep focus on the project objectives. GTS developed construction contract specifications for the project, coordinated the job show for contractors, led on site construction progress meetings during construction, reviewed proposed contractor changes, and coordinated meetings with the utilities and the California Department of Transportation. The project's final restoration activities were documented by GTS, followed by continued communication with the impacted land owners to ensure closure.