Detour ahead! PG&E pipeline project will close road in Lafayette, Moraga

LAFAYETTE, Calif. (KGO) -- Look out, East Bay drivers -- a major road closure is heading your way which will bring a summer-long detour.

Starting Thursday, PG&E crews will begin a gas transmission line replacement project. It's happening on St. Mary's Road between Rheem Blvd. in Moraga and South Lucille Lane in Lafayette. The closure will happen daily between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

"We're replacing 6,000 feet of line by removing the old pipes from 1952, part of our ongoing effort to modernize lines across Northern California," said Tamar Sarkissian, PG&E spokesperson.

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The closure of St. Mary's Rd. took some drivers by surprise, even though electronic signs alerting them about the closure have been posted for weeks.

Some neighbors are bracing for a long summer of detours and construction.

"I think the work needs to be done, so we need to make the best of it, but it's a little inconvenient," said Lafayette homeowner Alice Chen.

PG&E says the pipeline project is scheduled to be complete by August 21.