Mulberry Way – Smallman Street Modernization Project
Replacing 19th-century pipeline for safer, more reliable natural gas service
In August 2026, Peoples Natural Gas begins a pipeline modernization project to replace a 19th-century main serving customers along Mulberry Way in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville and Strip District neighborhoods. While we know this work creates disruptions, the significant investments made here will serve the community and deliver benefits for decades to come.
Since its founding in 1885, Peoples has provided natural gas service to millions of customers throughout Western Pennsylvania. Some pipelines, like this line on Mulberry Way, 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:
The large-diameter cast iron line targeted for retirement currently serves customers on Mulberry Way between 32nd Street and 38th Street, as well as 38th Street from Mulberry to Foster Street. Due to the limited space available on Mulberry Way, Peoples is constructing two new pipelines to replace the retiring line.
A comparably-sized large-diameter pipeline will be installed on Smallman Street, 38th Street, and select cross streets, and a smaller, plastic line will be added to serve customers on Mulberry Way. Peoples’ 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). 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.
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. 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 Mulberry Way Pipe Replacement Project. The overall project contains three steps:
Project Steps
| STEP 1: Pre-Construction During 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 Construction During 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-Construction During 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
Peoples will work concurrently to install portions of both new pipelines during the first segment of work, projected to take approximately four weeks. Please note, this timeline is an estimate and subject to change based upon weather and other variables that can impact construction.
- Large-diameter pipeline installation will begin near the intersection of 32nd Street and Mulberry Way, heading north to 32nd Street’s intersection with Smallman Street
- Small-diameter pipeline construction will begin on Mulberry, also near the intersection with 32nd Street. This work will travel east on Mulberry to 33rd Street
The City of Pittsburgh DOMI determines the days and hours that Peoples and its contractors are permitted to work. Our permitted work hours and days for this segment are:
- Mulberry Way: 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily
- 32nd Street: 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily
- Smallman Street: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. weekends
Permits issued by DOMI allow for weekend operations, and crews may occasionally work on Saturdays.
SEGMENT 2
Once the above segments are completed, Peoples contractors will begin work on the next segments of pipeline. This work is tentatively planned for late August or September 2026.
- Large-diameter work will turn onto Smallman Street from 32nd Street to 38th Street. To limit impacts of construction on traffic and parking in the area, work in this segment will be divided into small sections. More information will be provided as construction progresses.
- Small-diameter work on Mulberry Way will begin at the 34th Street intersection, also heading east toward 38th Street.
Please note: All work schedules are tentative and subject to change based on weather and other factors. For the most up-to-date information, please speak with Peoples project inspectors, who are onsite whenever construction work is taking place. Peoples will have separate inspectors for each of the two new main lines being installed.
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 Construction Supervisor Christopher Dunn or the Peoples inspectors on site during working hours.
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, Apollo Pipeline, 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 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 Mulberry Way, 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.