Construction of a new 24-inch, 300-mile crude oil pipeline is on schedule through McLeod County on its way to oil refineries in the Twin Cities.

According to Minnesota Pipe Line Co. spokesperson Patty Dunn, the pipeline route has been cleared and graded. Sections of pipe are being laid along the route and digging of the trench is scheduled to start within a week.

Dunn said McLeod County construction should be complete in several weeks, barring delays due to weather and other factors. The entire pipeline is scheduled to be finished and operational in October.

The pipeline route 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.

For more information, visit www.minncanproject.com [1] or call (877) 796-7846.

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