Liberty Avenue Pipeline Improvement Project
Modernizing Pittsburgh’s infrastructure for safer, more reliable natural gas service
The orange and purple boxes on the map above show where new mainlines will be installed.
In November 2026, Peoples Natural Gas begins a pipeline modernization project to replace a 19th-century main serving customers along Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Bloomfield neighborhood. The project’s footprint spans from South Millvale Avenue to Ella Street, near Liberty Avenue’s intersection with the Bloomfield Bridge. While we know this work creates disruptions, the significant investments made here will serve the community and deliver benefits for decades to come. This project is currently scheduled to begin in mid-November, after the completion of Pittsburgh Water’s infrastructure work on Liberty Avenue between Ella and Pearl Streets.
Since its founding in 1885, Peoples has provided natural gas service to millions of customers throughout Western Pennsylvania. Some pipelines, like this line on Liberty Avenue, date back to the company’s earliest days. Peoples is in the midst of executing a Long-Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan to replace aged pipes with new lines made of state-of-the-art materials, improving the safety, reliability and environmental sustainability of our region’s gas distribution systems. The below video provides information on the process of replacing aging large-diameter pipelines:
Peoples will replace the large-diameter pipeline currently serving this section of Liberty Avenue with multiple pipelines:
- Approximately 2,000’ of steel pipeline on the southern (eastbound) side from South Millvale St. to Ella St.
- Approximately 1,000’ of steel pipeline on the northern (westbound) side of Liberty from South Millvale to Cedarville St., plus approximately 1,200’ of plastic pipeline from Cedarville to Ella
Peoples projects that crews will work approximately 10 hours daily. Please speak with Peoples' on-site inspectors, not contracted construction or traffic management teams, for the most up-to-date information.
Replacing aged pipeline materials with new lines utilizing the latest technology significantly enhances the safety, reliability and environmental sustainability of the natural gas service Peoples provides to you and your neighborhood. The company’s infrastructure improvement plans are approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, and all projects within Pittsburgh city limits are performed with approval and close coordination with the City’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI). We also communicate and coordinate regularly with other utilities and entities that have jurisdiction over roadways, such as PennDOT. Peoples will provide periodic updates on the project’s progress on this web page. Please Note: Information on this page is tentative and subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please speak to the Peoples inspector overseeing this project. They are on-site whenever work is ongoing and are the best source for questions or unique needs, such as parking and traffic restrictions or ensuring delivery access.
OUR COMMITMENT
Throughout construction, Peoples will strive to keep its work zone as small as possible to minimize disruptions to traffic and daily life for businesses and residents. Though you may see signage noting limited access in our work area, please speak with the Peoples on-site inspector with any questions or unique needs you may have. Peoples inspectors travel in company vehicles and are the best on-site contact. Please ask questions of them rather than contracted construction or traffic management teams, who may not be qualified to speak to the full scope of the project. Vehicular access is permitted throughout construction for deliveries, public transit, and essential service vehicles such as ambulances and trash collection. Sidewalks remain open with assistance during construction.
Below is a summary of the Liberty Avenue Pipe Replacement Project. The overall project contains three steps:
Project Steps
| STEP 1: Pre-ConstructionDuring our first phase, we send letters to notify all customers in the affected construction zone. We also gather permits so that we have permission before we begin construction. Additionally, we survey the area and conduct any preliminary groundwork and inspections required. Customers whose gas meter is inside their building will receive a notification approximately 30 days before construction begins. All other customers will receive a letter ~15 days in advance. Automated phone calls are also placed shortly before construction begins. To ensure we have your correct contact information on file, set up an online account at https://peopleseaccount.com/. You can also call us at 1-800-764-0111 to update your phone number and other information. |
| STEP 2: Active ConstructionDuring active construction along a roadway, work zones and safety traffic cones will be set up to adjust traffic patterns, following state or local guidelines. This allows Peoples and our contractors to safely control and direct traffic. Please reduce your speed in work zones and drive without distractions. Our employees’ and contractors’ lives depend on you! |
| STEP 3: Post-ConstructionDuring this step, we begin restoring the areas where we completed our construction work. We'll replace any sections of lawn, fields, roadways, sidewalks and landscaping as needed. After our restoration services, your street will be back to normal. In some cases, it might look even better than before! During winter months, only temporary restoration is performed, as asphalt plants typically close once the daily temperature consistently drop below 40 degrees. Crews will return during warmer weather to complete permanent restoration. |
SEGMENT 1
Work on this project will begin near South Millvale Avenue, traveling north (westbound) to Cedarville Street. The purple box in the image above shows the scope of Segment 1, however please note that crews will limit their work zone to minimize traffic, parking and pedestrian obstructions to the extent possible. Please note: All work schedules are tentative and subject to change based on weather and other factors. Remember, Peoples inspectors are onsite while construction work is ongoing.
SEGMENT 2
The second segment is shaded in orange in the image above, beginning at the intersection of Liberty and Cedarville Street and continuing to Ella Street. Importantly, this full area will not be restricted at the same time. As in Segment 1, crews will work in smaller sections to minimize disruptions.
FAQs
Peoples’ pipeline modernization projects are a long-term investment in your community, but we recognize they may not be easy to live and work through. We’re here to help you understand more about the project, our plans, and the benefits behind it. If you have additional questions, please reach out to communications@peoples-gas.com, providing your location and contact information, and we will have our Construction Supervisor overseeing the project get in touch with you. You can also seek out the Peoples inspector on site during working hours and speak directly with them.
How will this project affect me?
We’re committed to conducting these projects as swiftly as possible, with minimal disruptions. Once we replace the old pipes with the new ones, we'll repair your street. Your street will look the same as it always has – in some cases, it may look even better! Learn more about What You Should Know.
If we need to temporarily block access to a street or driveway, our crew can help you gain safe access – just let them know. We will work with your community to minimize the inconvenience, and we appreciate your patience. Your safety is always our priority throughout this project.
There are times we may need to briefly turn off your gas service. If so, we will contact you to schedule the work and make arrangements to test your house lines, perform necessary safety checks, and turn your service back on. We will need to be inside your home or business to perform safety checks and services like turning on your gas and relighting your appliances. Please note that someone 18 years or older must be at your home or business when we need access, and all pets must be secured when we’re working on your meter and turning your gas back on.
How can I identify your employees and contractors?
Our employees and contractors can be identified by marked vehicles. They may be from Peoples or one of our contractors, M. O’Herron Company., ALL Ways Safe, Inc., and Lindy Paving. All employees should identify themselves and carry ID cards. They will gladly show these upon request.
When you have questions or needs, please speak to the Peoples on-site Inspector. These individuals have a fuller understanding of project scopes, timelines, and unique circumstances than contracted employees. Our inspectors are the best people to provide assistance.
Will I have to pay extra for this project?
No, you won’t have to pay for this project. The cost of building, maintaining, and upgrading our gas line system is shared among our entire customer base.
What steps are involved in replacing pipes?
A great deal of planning and coordination goes into replacing aged infrastructure with new pipelines. Peoples and its contractors strive to ensure each project is as efficient as possible, working closely with local and state officials to attain the required permits. Work is planned with safety at the forefront to avoid impacting other underground utilities such as water, electric and telecommunications.
On large, complex projects like this work on Liberty Avenue, work is divided into smaller segments to keep road closures as small as possible. Crews will cautiously excavate, place the new pipe, backfill around it and perform temporary restoration work. Then, they move on to the next segment, repeating the above process until all new main line has been installed. Customer service lines along the route of a new main line are assessed and replaced as needed at no cost to the customer. At this point, crews “tie in” the new pipeline to the existing main line. After successfully performing safety checks, the new line is energized, and gas begins flowing through it. The old lines are disconnected, capped, and abandoned in place.
During the final stages of the above process, service may be temporarily disconnected for customers. Peoples strives to restore service as quickly as possible. As part of our commitment to safety, our Field Customer Service technicians will visit each customer and conduct a safety check of all outdoor and indoor customer piping and appliances before gas service is restored to a home or business. Customers will also receive an upgrade to the new Intelis meter at the conclusion of the construction and reconnection phase of the project.