Crews will be shutting down a portion of roadway in eastern Scio Township next week to inspect an “anomaly” in an Enbridge pipeline.
The company discovered the problem during a routine inspection, and now must visually inspect the line.
An example of an excavation completed to asses the integrity of a pipeline.
Courtesy of Enbridge
Enbridge has a permit from the Washtenaw County Road Commission to dig up a portion of Tubbs Road if necessary to inspect the pipeline and make repairs.
John Posegay, permit coordinator for the road commission, said oil and gas companies critically inspect their pipelines as a part of a seven-year cycle of government reporting.
Posegay said he did not know the details of the pipeline itself, but said the inspection was likely a standard procedure.
Enbridge representatives did not return requests for comment Friday, but sent a PDF to AnnArbor.com of company procedures for an "integrity dig" -- an excavation of a portion of the pipeline completed to see if repairs need to be made.
If the inspection determines a repair is required, the pipe section will be replaced or a pipe sleeve will be welded over the portion of the pipe that needs to be reinforced.
Drivers are advised to follow a detour from Huron River Drive to North Delhi Road to Joy Road and back to Stein Road.
View Washtenaw County Road Commission work in a larger map
Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.