Local Politicians Work to Delay Construction of Pipeline Project

Construction is well underway in Westwood and Dedham, but local politicians have put their foot down in an effort to delay the West Roxbury portion of Spectra Energy’s Lateral Pipeline project.

The West Roxbury Lateral is a 5-mile section of Algonquin Incremental Market’s larger pipeline. It is set to run through Westwood, Dedham and West Roxbury.

Residents in the area are opposed to the project because the pipeline would be built in the area near the West Roxbury Crushed Stone Quarry, an active blasting site.

Stephen Lynch, a United States Representative, and Boston City Councilor Matt O’Malley, are among the local politicians leading the pushback against the construction. They sent an emergency motion for a stay of construction to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last week.

“Communities face irreparable harm in the absence of a stay given that the entire portion of the West Roxbury Lateral and West Roxbury Meter Station will be located in high consequence area where a gas pipeline accident could do considerable harm to people and their property,” the politicians wrote in their letter.

Spectra has yet to request a permit to begin construction of the pipeline in West Roxbury.

Construction on the Dedham portion of the pipeline did begin despite heavy opposition from town representatives.