ISELIN, N.J., May 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Middlesex Water Company (NASDAQ:MSEX) a provider of water and wastewater and related services primarily in New Jersey and Delaware broke ground yesterday on an underground  large diameter water transmission main from the Township of Edison to the Borough of Metuchen, New Jersey. 

Officials break ground for Middlesex Water Company’s $52 Million Western Transmission Main Project. Pictured (l to r) Edison Township Councilman Leonard Sendelsky, Middlesex Water President Dennis W. Doll, Edison Chamber of Commerce President Joseph Coyle, NJ Board of Public Utilities President Joseph L. Fiordaliso, BPU Commissioner Mary-Anna Holden, Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios and Woodbridge Mayor John E. McCormac.

The 42-inch diameter main is being installed to provide critical backup water supply and ensure resiliency in the Company’s water distribution system.  This $52 million project, known as the Western Transmission Main, will supplement the company’s existing transmission main which serves a population of approximately 300,000 in eastern Middlesex County, NJ and help mitigate risks associated with aging infrastructure.

“We’re commencing construction of this supplementary transmission main along the western portion of our New Jersey service territory to harden our infrastructure and ensure an adequate back-up water supply to meet daily basic needs,” said Dennis Doll, Chairman, CEO and President of Middlesex Water.  “The Western Transmission Main is one of several projects under our $300 million investment initiative known as Water For Tomorrow® designed to strengthen water distribution infrastructure and ensure greater reliability, safety and service quality for current and future generations of water users,” added Doll.

Under the Western Transmission Main project, 4.5 miles of ductile iron pipe will be installed from Jersey Avenue in Metuchen to Cedar Lane in the Township in Edison.

The Company held an official groundbreaking ceremony at its Carl J. Olsen Water Treatment Plant in Edison to announce the project.  The event included comments from Middlesex Water President Dennis Doll, MWC Manager of Engineering Brian Carr, Joseph L. Fiordaliso, President, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, Ronald G. Rios, Director, Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Joseph Coyle, President Edison Chamber of Commerce and concluded with the official groundbreaking.

In his remarks, Joseph L. Fiordaliso, President, BPU commented, "I commend Middlesex Water for its commitment and hard work towards the BPU’s shared goals of resiliency and sustainability for our natural resources and the commitment to a better tomorrow."

Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios said: “These investments lead to increased economic growth and productivity for our County and its businesses, increased land values and most importantly improved public and environmental health. In short, they ensure a higher quality of life for all of Middlesex County. I thank and congratulate Middlesex Water Company, its administration and staff on this project and thank them for being a steadfast partner in helping us keep Middlesex County safe and healthy.”

The Western Transmission Main project will affect the following streets for a portion of time as pipeline installation progresses.

In Edison:

• Cedar Lane
• Kilmer Road
• Brunswick Avenue
• Talmadge Road
• National Road
• New Durham Road
• Durham Avenue

 In Metuchen:

• Durham Avenue
• Jersey Avenue

The Company is working with two contractors, J. Fletcher Creamer for work in Metuchen and parts of Edison north of Route 287 and PACT One, LLC for work in Edison south of Route 287.  Residents that will be significantly affected by this project will receive individual notification with project details.

Information related to construction status, road closures, traffic detours and more will be available on the project website at www.WaterForTomorrowMWC.com   Residents with questions or comments may submit them on the project website or call 800-549-3802.

The Company and its engineers and contractors have been meeting with officials along the project route to discuss construction timelines, resident information, road closures, potential detours and ways to minimize inconvenience to residents during this project.  The entire installation, including complete restoration of areas disturbed by construction is expected to be completed by 2020.

About Middlesex Water
Organized in 1897, Middlesex Water provides regulated and unregulated water and wastewater utility services in New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania through various subsidiary companies. 

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, among others, our long-term strategy and expectations, the status of our acquisition program, the impact of our acquisitions, the impact of current and projected rate requests and the impact of our capital program on our environmental compliance. There are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements including: general economic business conditions, unfavorable weather conditions, the success of certain cost containment initiatives, changes in regulations or regulatory treatment, availability and the cost of capital, the success of growth initiatives and other factors discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Media Contact:  
Corporate Affairs Department
Middlesex Water Company 
(732) 638-7549
www.middlesexwater.com 

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/66ae76c8-fa93-4eab-af8a-c8b5f80057ef

Source: Middlesex Water Company