Line F Pipeline Replacement Project Overview 

Line F is part of the pipeline system delivering natural gas to the neighborhoods designated in the map below.  We have been replacing aging underground pipelines as part of our continuing effort to enhance the safety and reliability of our natural gas pipeline system.

Starting in mid-2019, we will be in your neighborhood replacing the high-pressure natural gas pipeline, designated by Atmos Energy as Line F. Our goal is to complete Phase 3 by the end of 2019 and Phase 4 construction is set to being at the end of October 2019.

This will enable us to continue safely serving the growing number of new homes and businesses in your neighborhood and the greater DFW area for generations to come.

Please continue to check this webpage for further updates.

Line F Map - Phase 3

Line F Map - Phase 4

Approved Vegetation List

The following plants are allowed on Atmos Energy’s right of way. These plants have less than 4’ growth potential and a non-intrusive root system. They are also local to the North Texas climate. 

Atmos Energy Approved Vegetation

Groundcover

Perennial Ornamental Grass Shrub 
Ajuga

Autumn Salvia 

Berkeley's Sedge Agave 
Asian Jasmine

Black-Eyed-Susan 

Gulf Muhly American BeautyBerry 
Creeping Juiper

Blackfoot Daisy 

Hameln's Fountain Barberry 
Creeping Rosemary

Blue Mealy Sage 

Mexican Feather Cast Iron Plant 

Lirope, regular or giant 

Calylophus 

  Color Guard Yucca 

Mondo Grass 

Cone Flower 

  Compact Nandina 

Purple Euonymus 

Creeping Lantana 

  Drift Rose 
 

Daylily 

  Dwarf Boxwood 
 

Dwarf Mexican Petunia 

  Dwarf Chinese Holly 
 

Flame Acanthus 

  Dwarf Indian Hawthorn 
 

Garden Phlox 

  Dwarf Spiera 
 

Gaura 

  Dwarf Variegated 
 

Holly Fern 

  Dwarf Yaupon Holly 
 

Lamb’s Ear 

  Flirt Nandina 
 

Wood Fern 

  Harbor Dwarf Nandina 
      Miniature Crape Myrtle 
      Rose Creek Abelia 
      Rosemary 
      Spreading Yew 
      Variegated Abelia 
      Wheeler’s Dwarf   

 

Damage Claim Process

General Damage Claim Process

The process for addressing potential damage claims related to Atmos Energy’s Line F replacement project is set out below.  Please note that many of the items damaged during construction inside the 50’ easement area (for example, sprinkler systems and grass) will be restored following completion of construction.  There is no need to process those damages as a “claim” because they will be addressed post-construction.  However, if there is something unique that you would like Atmos Energy to be aware of, or if you experience damage outside of the 50’ easement, then please consider that a “claim” and follow the steps set out below.  Your point of contact to initiate this process (or for questions) will be your designated ROW Agent.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions – Line F Replacement 2019

(City of Corinth, City of Shady Shores, City of Lake Dallas and City of Lewisville)

Pipelines are among the safest and most efficient means of transporting natural gas according to National Transportation Safety Board statistics. In the United States alone, there are over 300,000 miles of natural gas transmission pipelines in use every day. These transmission pipelines are larger than distribution lines, yet they are essential to delivering energy to your home.

Who is Atmos Energy? If you have natural gas service in your home, it is very likely that Atmos Energy is your natural gas provider. Atmos Energy is headquartered in Dallas, and traces its roots in this area back to the early 1900’s as Lone Star Gas. Today Atmos Energy serves over three million natural gas distribution customers in eight states from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the East to the Rocky Mountains in the West. Atmos Energy also manages one of the largest intrastate natural gas pipeline systems in Texas. You can find out more about our company at atmosenergy.com.

I thought natural gas pipelines were only located in streets and alleys. How is this pipeline different? Pipelines that deliver gas to residences and businesses within city limits are most often smaller diameter “distribution” lines, and these are usually located under streets and alleys. However, there are also larger diameter “transmission” lines that typically operate at higher pressures and are located in private easements. This particular pipeline is a transmission line located within a private easement.

Why is this pipeline being replaced? As with all infrastructure, pipeline infrastructure must be replaced from time to time to ensure its safety and to support the growth in the DFW area. The replacement of this pipeline, originally constructed over 40 years ago, will ensure continued safe and reliable service to our customers.

When will the project begin and how long will it last? Engineering is already underway, and detailed survey as well as subsurface utility studies along the right-of-way began in early March 2017. Right–of-way preparation and preconstruction activities will begin in early 2019, with actual construction beginning in approximately March 2019. Physical construction is expected to take approximately twelve months. As with all construction projects of this size, it is possible that these dates will change - we will do our best to keep you posted if this occurs. Also, please note that because of our construction sequencing, some areas along the pipeline will see construction begin sooner than others.

How will my property be affected? The answer depends on several factors, including the location of your property in relation to the pipeline and the location of any obstacles/ encroachments within the right-of-way. Once the detailed survey and engineering work is complete, affected property owners will be contacted to discuss the impact on their individual properties and any impact on adjacent streets and alleys. However, you should be aware that along a significant portion of this pipeline replacement project, there will be excavation within the right-of-way. This will require that all obstacles/encroachments within the right-of-way be removed, at least for the duration of construction. We will work with individual landowners to determine how this will affect their property and what steps can be taken to minimize any impact.

I didn’t know about this pipeline until just now - what has Atmos Energy done to make residents aware of this? The pipeline easement is a publicly recorded document, and pipeline rights-of-way are often shown on subdivision plats. The pipeline itself is identified by pipeline markers that show the approximate location of the pipeline. Each pipeline marker contains information that identifies the company that operates the pipeline, the product transported, and a phone number that should be called in the event of an emergency. Federal law requires these markers to be placed along the right-of-way and also prohibit anyone from tampering with, defacing, damaging or removing a pipeline marker. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Pipeline Safety has developed the National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS) to provide information about gas transmission and liquid transmission operators and their pipelines. The NPMS web site is searchable by zip code, or by county and state, and can display a county map that is printable. Please click here for more information.

What is the difference between an easement and a right-of-way? The easement that affects your property is a written agreement, recorded in the public records, that grants a property right to Atmos Energy or its predecessor to allow it to construct, operate and maintain one or more pipelines across a particular property. It is a perpetual right that “runs with the land” and is binding on current property owners, even if property was sold or conveyed from the original landowner who granted the easement. The right-of-way is the specific area identified in the easement within which Atmos Energy can construction, operate and maintain its facilities. In some cases rights-of-way are defined to a specific distance (for example, fifty or seventy-five feet wide), but can also be undefined (i.e., blanket). A survey is usually required to see exactly how the right-of-way affects a particular property. Rights-of-way are sometimes shown on plats with local governments, although they are not always accurate. The easement itself will tell you the extent of the right-of-way.

Will you need to clear trees from the pipeline right-of way? Given that excavation will occur within the right-of-way, yes.  Over time, tree growth inhibits Atmos Energy’s ability to access the pipeline quickly in the event of an emergency, conduct required right-of-way surveillance and leak surveys, and perform routine maintenance in accordance with required federal/state inspections. In order to perform these critical activities, pipeline maintenance personnel must be able to easily and safely access the pipeline right-of-way, as well as areas on either side of the pipeline.  Keeping trees, shrubs, buildings,  fences, and other structures and encroachments well away from the pipelines promotes maintenance of pipeline integrity and safety. In addition, the root systems of many trees and large shrubs can grow against or around pipelines damaging the coating and even denting the pipeline. That type of underground damage can result in leaks and potential harm to the public.  To avoid such damage, Atmos Energy needs to remove trees from the right-of-way. 

 

What will happen to other features such as fences, decks, carports and landscaping that are located within the right-of-way? Each encroachment will be reviewed on a case by case basis to evaluate the impact to Atmos Energy’s ability to construct this particular project, as well as its ongoing ability to operate, maintain, and repair the new pipeline in the future. If the encroachment does not pose a risk and does not interfere with the operations, maintenance, and replacement of the pipeline, an Encroachment Agreement will be presented to each landowner. The landowner will be asked to sign the agreement, acknowledging that the encroachment can remain for the time being and ensuring Atmos Energy's right to remove the encroachment in the future, if necessary. If the encroachment does impede and affect Atmos Energy’s ability to carry out operations, maintenance and replacement of the pipeline, the landowner will be given the opportunity to have the encroachment removed. If the encroachment is not removed in a timely manner, Atmos Energy will remove the encroachment.

How will this affect my neighborhood? During the physical construction phase, temporary traffic re-routes may be necessary to accommodate construction equipment. Work will be performed under local ordinances and standards to minimize disruption. Work in and immediately adjacent to public schools is anticipated to be performed over the summer months. Atmos Energy is working with municipal services, such as garbage collection, to help ensure there are no disruptions to these services.

Have the City of Corinth, City of Shady Shores, City of Lake Dallas, City of Lewisville and Denton County officials been notified of this work? Yes. Both staff and elected officials have been informed about the project. Atmos Energy will be closely coordinating such work as project plans are finalized.

Are there other issues about the pipeline right-of-way that I should be aware of? Yes. Keeping trees, shrubs, fences and buildings off of the right-of-way are essential for effective monitoring. Even temporary buildings can inhibit inspection of the pipeline.

August 17th Resident Letter

August 17, 2018

Dear Resident:

Re: Upcoming Atmos Energy Pipeline Replacement Project

Atmos Energy will be in your neighborhood soon to begin the process of replacing its natural gas transmission pipeline, designated as “Line F.”

As the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex continues to enjoy expanding economic growth, pipeline infrastructure must be regularly upgraded to ensure safety and to support the growth in the DFW area. Atmos Energy is committed to being the safest provider of natural gas services in the nation. As a demonstration of our commitment and to continue to remain safe and reliable, we must periodically take action to maintain and upgrade its facilities to meet increasing energy demands. Further, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) of the US Department of Transportation (DOT) has requested the accelerated repair, rehabilitation and replacement of pipeline infrastructure. In compliance with these federal guidelines and to meet our own internal standards, Atmos Energy has established comprehensive plans for the replacement of key pipelines, including Line F.

Within the next few weeks, you may see survey crews with HALFF TRITEX examining the route of the pipeline and its impact to your neighborhood. Please welcome these survey crews as they may need to access your property. Our goal is to keep you informed throughout this entire process, and if your property is impacted we will meet with you on an individual basis.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we begin this pipeline replacement project that will enable us to continue to safely and reliably serve the growing number of new homes and businesses for generations to come.

If you have any questions, please contact us at 888-286-6700.

Neighborhood Logistics

Atmos Energy in Your Neighborhood

Starting in early 2019, we will be in your neighborhood replacing a high pressure natural gas transmission pipeline, designated by Atmos Energy as Line F. This will enable us to continue safely and reliably serving the growing number of new homes and businesses for generations to come.

When we get to your immediate area, some neighborhood services might be affected depending on your location. We will communicate with you directly when that may occur.

Trash Pickup If your trash pickup is impacted, we will leave a door hanger notifying you of any changes to your regular trash pickup.

Mail If mail delivery service is impacted, a bank of mailboxes will be installed to collect and distribute mail, pending additional instructions from the city and postal authorities.

Emergency Services Emergency services have been notified of the construction plan.

Parking Information Parking may be interrupted during construction to ensure the safety of workers and homeowners.

School Bus Routes  Potential changes to school bus routes will be coordinated through the school district.

Atmos Energy is engaged in regulated utility operations. Atmos Energy Corporation. All Rights Reserved.