Columbia Gas Reaches Reimbursement Settlement With Merrimack Valley Communities

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ANDOVER, Mass. (AP) — Three Massachusetts communities affected by a series of natural gas explosions last September have reached a settlement with the utility blamed for the disaster for reimbursement for road repairs and other costs.

Andover Town Manager Andrew Flanagan, Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera, and interim North Andover Town Manager Lyne Savage as well as representatives of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts are scheduled to attend a Tuesday news conference to discuss the settlement.

The settlement covers the costs of digging up about 50 miles of roadway for gas line replacement, as well as associated overtime, supply, and other costs.

Terms weren't disclosed.

The Sept. 13 disaster was caused by over-pressurization in a natural gas pipeline. One person died, dozens more were injured, and thousands were left without natural gas service for months.