Multiple reconstruction projects are scheduled for Penn Avenue this year.

By Jamie Kelly, Bulletin editor
Drivers should be aware of several construction projects set to happen up and down Penn Avenue starting in the spring.
Starting April 14, People’s Gas plans to start work to replace century-old gas lines on Penn Avenue between 45th and 39th streets.
The project is the third and final phase of work to replace 24-inch diameter pipe, some of which dates to the 19th century.
The first phase, between Roup Avenue and Evaline Street, began in Spring 2024 and finished in the summer. The second phase, between Evaline and 45th streets was finishing up at the end of March.
Construction will happen in one block at a time, and one lane will be closed and traffic managed with flaggers.
The project will consist of workers taking out and replacing sections of pipe and will be followed by crews repairing and replacing the road surface.
People’s plans to finish work by 2 p.m. daily as a way to lessen the disruption to businesses along Penn Avenue.
In addition to the People’s Gas project, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority has several projects planned in the 4900 and 5100 blocks of Penn Avenue, according to the PWSA projects website. Details about the timeline for the work was not available.
A third project is supposed to be scheduled to start in the fall, but it is not yet clear of the city intends to keep to that timetable. This would be the start of Phase II of its Penn Avenue infrastructure project, which calls for rebuilding the streets and sidewalks between Evaline and Graham streets. The basic design will be similar to what was done during Phase I, which rebuilt the blocks between Mathilda and Evaline streets.
The city’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure previously said it planned to submit the project to PennDOT by April and to begin work sometime in the fall, likely in September.
The work will progress from Evaline Street to Graham Street one block at a time, with workers replacing one lane and rebuilding the sidewalk, then moving to the next block. After one side is finished, work will start on the other side.
The project is expected to take two construction seasons.