Main Street gas line project bumped up for impending streetscape in Sharpsburg

A four-month gas line replacement is underway along busy Main Street in Sharpsburg.

Contractors are on site, working between 19th and 23rd streets, at the entrance to town.

Traffic is limited to one-lane in that area.

The project is not being paid by borough tax dollars, manager Christine DeRunk said.

People’s Natural Gas spearheaded the work, she said.

It is in conjunction with a Main Street streetscape project that will improve infrastructure, lighting and public safety.

The borough last month launched a public survey to help shape the direction of the streetscape, which could begin later this year. Timeline for the work is unclear because it depends on PennDOT and other agencies.

Plans potentially call for a “bump-out” at 19th Street to extend the sidewalk at the intersection and shorten the distance to cross the street, thereby improving pedestrian safety.

Gas line work was originally slated for 2026.

“Because we are doing that streetscaping in that area later in 2025, PNG moved up their timetable so that we can be better coordinated,” DeRunk said. “And, they would not need to open brand new sidewalks a year after they were poured.”

Work on the gas line replacement is expected to last through May.

Borough officials said the transformation of the borough’s main thoroughfare at 19th Street is especially important since the site will be an access point to the mixed-use development Allegheny Shores.

Housing, entertainment and increased riverfront access is expected as part of the project, to be built on a former 52-acre brownfield site.