BELLAIRE — Work to replace 1,500 feet of 4-inch natural gas main on Noble Street in the village of Bellaire is underway.

The work is being conducted by subcontractor Nothern Pipeline Construction on behalf of Columbia Gas, which owns the line. Parking on Noble Street between 41st and 46t streets is being restricted between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. during the job, expected to last for about a month or so.

Bellaire Police Chief Mike Kovalyk on Thursday said the project is going smoothly to date, with residents in the area cooperating with the workers.

“The traffic is flowing,” Kovalyk added, noting the company has hired its own flaggers to take care of getting vehicles through the work zone.

Columbia Gas decided to replace that section of gas main after having to make several repairs on it.

Work to replace and reconnect 54 of the 1-inch service lines to homes on the street also is slated to be conducted. There are also plans to move 22 gas meters from the interiors of homes to the outside.

The Bellaire project is one of 100 being conducted across the state of Ohio. Last year, a gas main was replaced in the city of Martins Ferry in the Virginia Street area. After the subcontractor was finished, the sections of pavement dug up for the work were repaved, and sidewalks dug up for service line work also were restored.

Upgrading such main lines is expected to give residents and businesses some additional pressure.

Workers with the Arizona-based NPL are carrying Columbia Gas identification cards.