Work is underway in Bellflower, about a month ahead of schedule on an approximately $750,000 project to replace older pipelines with more reliable polyethylene (PE) pipe.Ameren Missouri contract crews began installing the new Bellflower PE pipes in early April to replace nearly 3.5 miles of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gas lines that have served the community for nearly 50 years. The work in Bellflower, expected to be complete by mid-June, follows on the heels of a similar project in Winfield.Favorable weather conditions allowed Ameren Missouri to start the Bellflower project ahead of initial schedules, which called for work there to begin in May and run through September.“We’re working to ensure our customers continue to receive reliable service by proactively upgrading our system with the latest materials and construction techniques,” said Mike Holman, Ameren Missouri’s director of gas operations. “Fair weather is allowing us to finish the job sooner than we expected.”Bellflower is one of four towns receiving new PE pipes this year as Ameren Missouri wraps up a 10-year, $25 million program to replace all 150 miles of its PVC pipeline. With an estimated price tag of $752,696, it’s the costliest as well as the largest PVC natural gas pipeline replacement project on this year’s roster. Mary Knoll and Silex also are slated to receive new PE pipes this year.The new PE gas lines are more durable than the older pipe, and also incorporate a tracing wire that allows them to be more easily located from above-ground. The overall PVC pipe replacement project, which began in 2006, is expected to be complete by the end of 2015.Ameren