Norwich — Norwich Public Utilities has announced the completion of its largest natural gas construction project for the 2019 construction season.

During the project, 5,800 feet of natural gas main was replaced along Hamilton Avenue between East Main Street and Smith Avenue.

“We appreciate the patience of the public while our crews completed this important project,” NPU General Manager Chris LaRose said in a news release. “By modernizing another section of our natural gas system, our community is safer, and our infrastructure is stronger.”

NPU scheduled the $480,000 work with the state Department of Transportation, which is expected to begin paving on Route 165-Hamilton Avenue this fall. If NPU were responsible for paving along Hamilton Avenue, the project cost would have increased by an additional $125,000, NPU said in the release.

Work on the project, which was completed entirely by NPU employees, began in April and was completed Wednesday. In addition to installing more than a mile of natural gas pipe, crews installed or replace individual gas services at 42 locations, primarily residences.