Project Overview

Basic facts

Pipeline route

Map of route

Special lands consideration

Local economic impact

Basic Facts

The project involves burying a 24-inch wide pipe about 3-5 feet underground along a 77-mile route that runs from Victor, NY, to Corning, NY. As a safety precaution, markers will be placed at points along the pipeline route. Construction involves digging a trench 4-5 feet wide at ground level. To build the pipeline, Empire will secure a right-of-way of about 75-100 feet during construction. The right-of-way will be reduced to about 50 feet after construction is completed. Pipeline construction on a 20 – 25 mile portion of the project will begin on September 17, 2007, and will conclude by early December. The remainder of the pipeline will be constructed beginning in the spring of 2008 and will be completed in the fall of 2008. The Compressor Station (which will be located in Oakfield, NY) will also be constructed in 2008. Click here for route maps, which include the areas to be impacted by pipeline construction in 2007 and 2008. The maps outline the route as it impacts each county affected.

Pipeline Route 

In December 2006, FERC granted the Empire Connector Project a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, thereby granting approval to construct and operate the natural gas pipeline.

Thanks to the exceptional cooperation of property owners, Empire Pipeline was granted access to more than 94% of the route area to complete survey work during the project’s development. Surveyors were able to identify special areas of concern and sensitivity along the initial primary route and made a number of adjustments to the route plan. In some cases, the areas now considered as the best route were originally a secondary alternative; in other areas, a new route configuration was developed. Click here to download the route map, in pdf format.

Special Land Considerations

The Empire Connector is designed to minimize the impact to agricultural and recreational lands affected by the final route. Recreational lands may be disturbed during the construction period but will be returned to original or better condition. Agricultural lands affected by the final route will be properly restored using approved, modern mitigation techniques designed to ensure full productive reuse of the agricultural lands.

For more information about the pipeline and agricultural areas, click here.

Local Economic Impact

The total cost of the Empire Connector Project is roughly $ 177 million. Municipalities stand to directly benefit from this project. The pipeline will generate millions of dollars in new tax payments for schools, local governments and the state.  

Several hundred temporary construction jobs will be created during the construction period, which will last approximately 6-9 months. During that time, additional economic activity for businesses near the pipeline route is expected. Click here to learn more about the economic benefits of the Empire Connector.

Project Timeline