New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) reported Tuesday that it is making steady progress in restoring service to its hurricane-ravaged distribution system, as well as repairing the facilities.

In the Bay Head to Seaside area, which is south of New York City, “extensive infrastructure repair and replacement is ongoing. To prepare for the sectionalization of our main, we have begun installing the valves that will allow natural gas to be reintroduced in sections once we have completed main repairs and replacement,” said the Wall, NJ-based utility, which serves more than 500,000 gas customers in the southern, central and northern parts of the state.

Superstorm Sandy pummeled the New Jersey coastline with 80 mph winds on Oct. 30, damaging NJNG’s gas distribution system and disrupting service to many of its customers.

In the mainland area of Ocean County, NJNG reports that it has completed 40,700 service assessments and that 3,200 meters are ready for gas restoration and 992 meters have been turned on.

On Long Beach Island, “we have restored natural gas service to Surf City’s water well, fire house, department of public works, municipal building and pharmacy. Natural gas is now available at 835 meters,” it said.

“We are reintroducing natural gas into the third section of our main on Long Beach Island from Sherwood Way to James Street. We expect to move into the fourth section tomorrow [Wednesday], from East Bergen Ave. to East 86th St.” Meters are now being rebuilt in the sections where natural gas has been reintroduced, NJNG said.

In the Sea Bright area of Monmouth County, “we have restored natural gas service to the sewerage authority and other public facilities, and natural gas is now available at 180 meters. In coastal Monmouth County, we have completed 98% of our initial assessments,” the utility said. Music legend Bruce Springsteen is a native son of Monmouth County.

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