Construction of a crude oil pipeline crossing eastern McLeod County is nearly complete.

According to County Environmentalist Roger Berggren, the pipe has been laid underground and — as of last week — remaining work included spreading and leveling topsoil and removing rock piles.

The new 24-inch, 300-mile pipeline enters the county from the north through Hale Township, passes south and east through Rich Valley and Bergen townships, and exits to the east through Helen Township, on its way to oil refineries in the Twin Cities. The entire pipeline is scheduled to be finished and operational in October.

Berggren believes the majority of property owners affected by the construction are satisfied. “We received very few calls and very few complaints,” he said. “We expected more and we actually ended up with less. That’s always a good sign … ”

(Jorge Sosa is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sosa@hutchinsonleader.com [2])