The extension of the natural gas pipeline to Portlaoise, Co Laois, is yet another indication that, at last, the midlands is beginning to catch up with the rest of the State in terms of infrastructural development.
Within 18 weeks, Portlaoise residents will be able to share in the benefits which the east coast has enjoyed for many years as gas arrives to service domestic, commercial, institutional and industrial users.
The most exciting part of the news is that the extension of the mains to Portlaoise will mean that other towns in the area may soon follow suit.
The structures being put in place in the Laois capital mean that other towns in the area such as Abbeyleix, Mountrath, Mountmellick, Portarlington, Monasterevin, Roscrea and Tullamore may be next in line for the service.
Bord Gais said it was bringing natural gas to the town because of its planned rapid growth. The town is expected to double in population to 20,000 over the next seven years.
Plans have been submitted to the local authority there for the erection of thousands of new homes there, and other developments, such as hotels retail outlets and leisure centres, are on the drawing boards.
Already the gas company has signed up 1,000 private homes in the town and the county council has plans to install natural gas to new homes it is building.
One of the attractions for local people in Portlaoise is that any home within 10m of the network will be able to avail of a free connection.
The work will involve the construction of a high pressure transmission pipeline to carry the natural gas from Ballyvass, on the east side of Athy, where a pressure reduction station will be located. The gas will then be pumped by low pressure feeder main from this point to Portlaoise via Stradbally and the town itself will be served by a distribution mains system.
Other towns are hoping they too will be able to persuade Bord Gais to service their areas.