Oct. 15--MORTON -- A process that began more than two years ago can now be seen in physical form.

Rockies Express Pipeline, a development of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners L.P., Sempra Pipelines & Storage, and ConocoPhillips, initiated federal review of the eastern expansion of its natural gas pipeline in June 2006. With two segments stretching from Colorado to Missouri now finished, this eastern expansion will span from Missouri through Indiana to the eastern edge of Ohio.

Once complete, the 1,679-mile pipeline is expected to transport 1.8 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day to the Midwest and eastern United States.

"It's a major project by any pipeline construction standard," said Dean Eaton, Kinder Morgan representative.

The 638 miles comprising the eastern portion of the REX project includes a 17.3-mile pass through Hendricks County. It starts just north of U.S. 36 on the western side and snakes south past Clayton before entering Morgan County west of Mooresville.

Construction in Indiana began in August after REX cleared its regulatory review with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and state and local agencies. On Tuesday the consortium offered a construction tour of the pipeline in Putnam County. The project is being managed from a site in Cloverdale near the Interstate 70 exit.

Workers could be seen pulling sections of the pipe together using an automated system that internally welded the pieces together. Then a welding shack is placed on each link, where workers go inside and weld the pipe on its outside.

Eaton says employees are averaging about 70 welds per day since construction started. About 400 workers are being used on each section of the REX east project, with six sections total in both Indiana and Illinois.

Allen Fore, REX public affairs manager, says the company is using local union workers whenever possible. Specialized laborers also have been brought to the area.

"It's good either way," Fore said. "If we're using locals, we're providing jobs. If we're bringing workers in, they're staying here, eating here, spending their money here."

Pipe also is being assembled in Hendricks County currently, while the rest of the path through Indiana is being graded and cleared. REX had to secure 103 pieces of land in Hendricks for the project. Last spring the company agreed to agricultural mitigation with FERC and the Indiana Farm Bureau.

Among the provisions reached are that the pipeline must be buried a minimum of five feet where it crosses agricultural fields. REX also must repair for life any damaged drainage tiles.