Loud noise, smell due to pipeline check

CHANNAHON -- On Monday, some residents may have heard a high-pitched noise that sounds like a jet engine or they may have detected the smell of natural gas in the air.

Neither of these events are harmful to residents, officials from TransCanada's ANR Pipeline system reported.

While they seem unusual, they were the results of routine maintenance on the system.

TransCanada made some improvements to the ANR Pipeline in two areas of Will County in Channahon Township: one near a set of subdivisions, the other near a rock quarry.

When TransCanada conducts maintenance on a natural gas pipeline, the line is depressurized for safety purposes by venting gas into the air. Since the gas is under pressure it may sound like a jet engine when the gas is escaping and one might also detect an odor. Both are normal occurrences and are part of safety procedures that we follow when making routine maintenance on our pipes.

TransCanada sent letters to nearby landowners notifying them of this work.