On Tuesday, November 17, KUB and its contractor Bingham Group will be performing routine inspection of natural gas pipelines under area bridges. These inspections are conducted four times a year to help ensure the continued safe and reliable delivery of natural gas. 

For the first time, KUB will be utilizing drone technology to complete these inspections. Previous inspections required an employee to ascend the bridge and visually inspect the pipeline. The use of drones will not only be safer by eliminating this aspect of the inspection, but it will also be more efficient and shorten the duration of the inspection. Additionally, the drone will provide video footage that can be kept for KUB records.   

This is not the first time KUB has utilized drone technology, but it is the first time drones have been used for this particular inspection. Previously, KUB has used drones to survey large areas, such as the path for the South Loop Natural Gas Pipelines, and some water tower inspections. 

KUB will be inspecting the utility pipeline under two bridges: The East Governor John Sevier Highway/TN 168 Dr. JH. Gammon Memorial Bridge spanning the French Broad River and the Alcoa Highway/US 129 James E. "Buck" Karnes Bridge spanning the Tennessee River. 

This work will not require any utility outages. KUB has worked with all necessary agencies to coordinate these inspections. Customers can contact KUB at 524-2911 if there are any questions about crews in their areas.