Removing Roadblocks (Literally) for a Pipeline Project
Faced with impassable rural roads threatening a major pipeline project in West Virginia, Access NEP team members conducted an extensive 1,000+ miles road assessment to identify and implement necessary upgrades. This proactive approach ensured timely access, preventing costly construction delays.
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Overview
In large-scale infrastructure projects, access is everything. That truth became painfully clear during the execution of a FERC-regulated natural gas pipeline project in the rugged, remote terrain of West Virginia. Despite detailed planning and early-stage permitting, the project hit an unexpected and potentially project-ending roadblock: the field teams simply couldn’t get to the site.
Degraded, unimproved, and unmaintained rural roads made it impossible for heavy machinery to get access to the right of way, threatening the entire project timeline and significantly inflating costs. What started as a call for help from the field crews quickly became an elevated risk that involved all of the project team.
The Challenge
The pipeline alignment had been finalized. Permits were moving forward. But on-the-ground assessments by the field crews uncovered a glaring issue: the existing road network was unusable for pickup trucks, let alone the construction equipment and materials that would be required.
With no reliable access to critical construction zones, the project was at risk of major delays, spiraling costs, and reputational damage for stakeholders. A fast, scalable, and field-tested solution was needed – not just to solve the access issue, but to prevent it from derailing the entire operation.
The Solution
The project pulled together expertise from haul route planning experts, civil engineers and road construction specialists set to work to assess and resolve the issue with speed and precision. Using a blend of advanced mapping, 360º road view imagery, WVDOH coordination, and deep infrastructure expertise, the experts conducted a full-spectrum analysis of the region’s roadways – covering more than 1,000 miles.
Each road segment was evaluated for its existing ability to accommodate vehicle-specific access, and the costs to upgrade the road to accommodate larger vehicles
- Pickup trucks
- Standard pipeline haul trucks
- Oversized/heavy equipment
This wasn’t just a desktop analysis. It was boots-on-the-ground, engineering-led reconnaissance to map the reality of rural access in real time.
Based on the findings:
- Road segments requiring upgrades were identified and prioritized
- Bridges were inspected and analyzed
- State permitting was fast-tracked
- Engineering designs were created for each necessary improvement
- Upgrades were implemented in tight coordination with the broader pipeline build
The Outcome
- Extensive road and bridge upgrades delivered and coordinated
- Pipeline access achieved, avoiding costly construction delays
- Significant savings through proactive planning and collaborative maintenance responsibilities
- Extensive teamwork between a diverse group of specialists.
By turning access from a liability into a strength, the group kept the project on track – delivering not just a pipeline, but a more resilient, accessible roadway network for the region.
The Takeaway
Permits and plans might look good on paper, but rural infrastructure success depends on what’s under the wheels. In remote regions, access is often the first thing taken for granted – and the first thing to go wrong.
This case shows that proactive field engineering, combined with scalable infrastructure planning, can prevent millions in losses and months of delays. Before breaking ground, make sure you can get there.
