LAWRENCE, MA (WBZ-AM) -- Columbia Gas says crews are near the end of their gas line replacement work in the Merrimack Valley.
At last check, the company says they're less than 4 miles away from completing the 44 miles of pipes that need to be replaced following the September disaster.
Hundreds of residents are anxiously waiting to get gas service at home, including some city workers in Lawrence.
Close to 600 city workers in Lawrence are among the thousands of residents still without heat and hot water. They include more than a dozen Department of Public Works workers and 17 firefighters who continue to serve their community, despite having to move out of their homes.
“It's not convenient for anybody but it's definitely difficult for firefighters when they have to return back to the city and doing so many shifts right now it's almost crazy we have such a difficult time covering the South part of Lawrence with all the construction that is going on ,” said Lawrence Fire Chief Brian Moriarty
WBZ NewsRadio1030’s Bernice Corpuz (@BerniceWBZ) reports.