NORTH ADAMS — Construction began Monday on a 1-mile portion of Route 2 as Berkshire Gas begins gas main replacement, kicking off a summer of road construction in the city.

Northern Berkshire residents may have noticed big blue pipes lying near State Road or Route 2 just before the Norad Mill, which the utility company will use to replace aging gas lines from the intersection of West Main Street and Brown Street to the intersection of State Road and Brayton Hill Terrace, a Berkshire Gas spokesperson said. The project is scheduled to start April 13 with "anticipated completion around July 1."

"The Company will be installing [a] new gas main within this area to increase system reliability to our customers in the western parts of North Adams and Williamstown," the spokesperson said.

Gas main replacement refers to updating aging gas pipes in a service area with more modern and durable piping.

During construction, Berkshire Gas said residents may encounter a detour along Massachusetts Avenue. For westbound travelers, the detour will start at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Drive and Marshall Street, according to the spokesperson. For eastbound travelers, the detour will start at State Road and Roberts Drive.

The construction zone will remain open to local residents, buses and truck traffic, with traffic details directing vehicles throughout.

After the gas line replacement is complete, Mayor Jennifer Macksey said the city received a grant to repave streets from “Notch Road [or Route 2] all the way up to Ed’s Variety” on Union Street.

Construction signs for Berkshire Gas' main construction are in place along a mile stretch of Route 2 from Brown Street to Brayton Hill Terrace. Construction is estimated to run from April 13 to July 1.

“We haven’t really announced it yet because we’ve been waiting for the state to say [they are] ready to do it,” she said.

Through various budget appropriations and grants, the city will repave the following streets starting this summer: Barbara, Bliss, Church, Davidson, Ashton, South, Rickard, Wesleyan, Beacon and Tremont.

Macksey said the city meets with the utility a few times a year to plan these projects out. She said that the city intentionally tried to get the gas line replacement done before it makes the road improvements.

“It's gonna be a pain in the neck but it's exciting,” said Macksey of the upcoming summer of road work. “Construction will be crazy,resi but it will be cool.”