LAWRENCE, Ind. (WRTV) Citizens Energy leaders on Tuesday said replacing their last cast-iron mains means a more reliable gas system.Tuesday marked the ceremonial completion of a project that replaced nearly five miles of cast i ron gas mains with industrial-grade polyethylene plastic lines. Funding came from a $7.5 million grant provided under the bipartisan infrastructure law passed during the Biden administration. Citizens Energy spokesperson Ben Easley said the company had already replaced nearly all of its roughly four thousand miles of gas mains but took the opportunity to cover the last few miles on the citys east side.This newer style is more resistant to corrosion and to leaks, and so, we can just provide a more reliable experience for our customers, he said.The infrastructure law funded a total of $1 billion worth of grants over five years. Paul Roberti, the administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, a division of the Department of Transportation, told WRTV 6 News that replacing cast-iron mains makes the natural gas grid safer and more efficient.This is a state of the art material that we know wont be compromised, he said. For the average customer, this means that were going to have long-term durability and safety of the natural gas system.Company officials said the last few pieces in the project should be complete by the end of the year. ...read more read less