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Cameron Co. Residents Taking Notice of Pipeline Creeping Up Near Homes

6 years 1 week 1 day ago Wednesday, March 21 2018 Mar 21, 2018 March 21, 2018 6:10 PM March 21, 2018 in News

NEAR BROWNSVILLE – The construction of a pipeline that will transport natural gas to Mexico is progressing quickly.

Those driving by some of the construction sites may just notice only that, but for those living near them, it's a concern.

"We kind of worry about what's going on in that pipe in there, and it's so close right here for us," said resident Lidia Reyna.

Reyna lives along Highway 100, where part of the pipeline is being constructed.

"Anyone would be scared because it's like a little match, you light it and it could go off," added neighbor Lina Guzman.

The construction is part of the 168-mile Valley Crossing Pipeline. The natural gas pipeline from Agua Dulce in Nueces County will run all the way to Mexico.

Devin Hotzel, a spokesman for Enbridge, told CHANNEL 5 NEWS the pipeline is being built to meet the demand in Mexico for clean-burning natural gas as the country goes through an energy reform.

But people living near the pipeline said the company should've done a better job of addressing their fears.

"It scares us. It's deep and it's huge pipes, so it does scare you because you never know what can happen," Reyna said.

Guzman said this has been the most significant change she’s seen near her home. She fears the worst.

"We've been here. There's a lot of people that live around here now, and we're scared," she said. "A lot of us are scared because like I said, it's like a bomb that could go off."

Other residents in the area didn't want to comment on camera but said they’re not worried about the pipeline directly behind her home.

Hotzel said since the construction of the pipeline began in Cameron County mid-last year, the project is now approximately 80 percent complete.

He added the pipelines will be at least five feet deep, and in some areas deeper. Once in service, the pipeline will be monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

However, that doesn't shake the uneasiness of those watching the pipeline creep up on their homes.

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