LAWRENCE, Mass. — Six weeks ago, the Merrimack Valley was rocked by numerous gas explosions and thousands of customers have had no heat or hot water ever since.
Columbia Gas has now set a deadline of Dec. 16 to restore service to all customers, but there is concern whether the utility company can achieve that goal. Columbia Gas had previously given a deadline of Nov. 19.
Columbia Gas has made solid progress replacing mainline gas pipes in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover with more than 90 percent of the task complete. But thousands of service lines running from the street to houses still need replacement and that's fueling concerns.
>> Lawyer: Family wants justice after gas explosions death
Some residents are not surprised to hear the finish date may be slipping.
"I don't think anybody can tell when this is going to be done. I mean this is huge. Honestly, I just don't think anybody knows, realistically, when it will be done," said displaced resident Chris Antolick.
Attorney General Maura Healey released a statement regarding the new deadline:
“Columbia Gas needs to explain why, even after incorporating temporary repairs, it may take until mid-December to restore heat and hot water to families who have already faced these burdens for weeks and weeks. We recognize this is a challenging recovery, but the new schedule is simply unacceptable. By November 19, Columbia Gas should provide all impacted residents with either temporary or permanent heat, or appropriate temporary housing, regardless of cost."
Columbia Gas will be holding "open houses" in Lawrence, Andover & North Andover on Saturday, Oct. 27 to answer questions on claims process, temporary housing solutions, in-home assessments and installations, home and business relights, construction, customer service, energy efficiency and gas safety:
North Andover
Open House: 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Executive Q&A: 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
North Andover Senior Center, 120 R Main Street
Lawrence
Open House: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Executive Q&A: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Lawrence High School, 70-71 N Parish Road
Andover
Open House: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Executive Q&A: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Doherty Middle School, 50 Bartlet Street
>> Merrimack Valley still impacted on 1-month anniversary of gas explosions