A DTE project to replace aging natural gas lines with modern pipes will cause temporary disruptions near downtown Traverse City in the coming weeks, including the closure of the 900 and 1,000 blocks of Peninsula Drive starting today (Tuesday) through the end of April.

DTE and contractor Hydaker-Wheatlake will close Peninsula Drive between East Front Street and Garfield Avenue for utility work starting at 6am Tuesday. The corridor is expected to reopen by 5pm on April 30. Drivers will need to seek other routes around the corridor, notably using the Garfield Avenue intersection - though access will be maintained to residents and businesses in the affected stretch of Peninsula Drive.

According to DTE, planned work in the area (shown on map in yellow) will include new main lines installed near the street, new service lines run to homes, and relocating gas meters from inside homes to outdoors. Affected customers have been mailed instructions from DTE, including options for scheduling inspection times for indoor meters and eventually relocating the meters outside. The project will cause temporary interruptions in service for affected DTE customers and could cause damage to sidewalks and lawns. In response to potential damage, “a temporary solution may be put in place until permanent restoration is complete,” according to DTE. More information on the gas line project is available online here.