Seeing construction, steel plates and road closures around Collingswood, Oaklyn and Haddon Township? Some of it is part of a major PSE&G gas modernization project that could continue for another 12 to 18 months.
Not every useful real estate article needs to be about home prices.
Sometimes homeowners simply want someone to tell them:
What in the world are they doing to my street?
If you've been driving through portions of Collingswood, Oaklyn or Haddon Township recently, you may have encountered construction crews, trenches, steel plates, parking restrictions or detours.
PSE&G is continuing a large gas system modernization project throughout parts of Camden County. Work has already been underway in Oaklyn and Haddon Township and expanded into Collingswood this month. The project could create construction activity and road impacts over approximately the next 12 to 18 months.
The work involves replacing underground gas infrastructure, some of which may be as much as a century old.
That requires crews to open sections of roadway, install new gas mains and eventually connect individual properties to the updated system.
And yes, that can be inconvenient.
Traffic patterns can change.
Parking may temporarily disappear.
Heavy equipment creates noise.
Steel plates aren't exactly anyone's favorite neighborhood amenity.
But homeowners should understand what happens when the work reaches their property.
According to information reported on the project, technicians may schedule appointments to reconnect service lines and meters to the new gas mains.
If a gas meter needs to be replaced, it may be relocated to the exterior of the home.
PSE&G has also said it will restore areas disturbed by its work, including patching roads and sidewalks and reseeding lawns where necessary.
That last part is important.
Whenever utility work occurs near your property, take photographs before construction starts.
Photograph your sidewalk.
Photograph landscaping.
Photograph the condition of your lawn and driveway.
Hopefully you'll never need those photos.
But documentation is easy, free and very useful if there is ever confusion about what existed before work began.
This is also a good reminder for anyone buying an older South Jersey home.
We spend enormous amounts of time discussing kitchens, bathrooms and flooring because those are the things we can see.
But some of the most important components of a home and neighborhood are underground.
Sewer lines.
Water lines.
Gas infrastructure.
Drainage.
Those systems aren't glamorous, but they're essential.
Homeowners should also never assume that someone knocking on the door asking for money is legitimately connected to utility work.
Haddon Township has separately reminded residents regarding utility related canvassing that authorized workers carry identification and will not ask residents for payment at the door.
Construction will eventually end.
The temporary aggravation is part of updating infrastructure that serves older Camden County communities.
In the meantime, pay attention to municipal notices, posted parking restrictions and communications from PSE&G.
And keep those before photos.
Sometimes being a knowledgeable homeowner has absolutely nothing to do with Zillow values.
It's simply knowing what's happening underneath the street in front of your house.
Check out this article next
