By Jamie Kelly, Bulletin editor
After nearly 18 months of work, People’s Gas is approaching the end of a project to replace a 125-year-old gas line.
Workers are nearly done with the final phase of the installation and are also preparing to work on restoring road surfaces where the installation has already been completed.

The project

In early 2024, People’s Gas started work to replace a gas line from the 1880s that runs
under Penn Avenue. The first phase finished in summer 2024, when the second phase began. The work involved removing and replacing a 24-inch gas line that was more than 100 years old. People’s Gas said the replacement was an essential part of the company’s work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in addition to modernizing infrastructure.
Each phase involved both the work to replace the gas line and restoration of the street after the new line was installed.
The first phase involved work along Penn Avenue between Roup Avenue and Evaline Street. The second phase was between Evaline and 45th streets and the third phase between 45th and 39th streets.

What’s next

Nick Paradise, external communications director for People’s Gas, said work was progressing on the restoration for Phase 2 and the construction for Phase 3.
At the end of October, crews were tying in service lines between Fisk and 42nd streets. “Upon completion of that section, we intend to move to the area between 45th and 39th streets to prepare for line tie-ins there for the remainder of 2025,” he said.
Restoration work, which is part of Phase 2, is expected to start early in November.
“We plan to begin base repair on Monday, Nov. 10, starting at the intersection of Penn Avenue and Friendship Avenue and heading west on Penn Avenue,” Paradise said.
In general, the work runs between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., weather permitting.