This more strategic approach would help officials decide, for instance, whether to upgrade gas mains, sewer lines or street lights in certain areas costly decisions that will need to be carefully weighed.

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After the state rejected the construction of another hard structure, park officials, working with environmentalists, came up with a Plan B: Move gas, water and sewer lines out of the risk zone.

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Hoping to save yearly operating costs by combining utilities, the city shifted control of its water and sewer system to a not-for-profit trust that also runs the local natural gas.

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With Connecticut planning on tearing up 900 miles of ground for gas pipeline in coming years, and Hartford eyeing a project with 160 miles of wastewater and sewer separation, there may be a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to piggyback on other infrastructure projects which involve crossing roads and other infrastructure.

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