Sewer, water line work could impact traffic in Crafton next week

Motorists in Crafton might want to brace themselves for possible delays starting next week as two separate water and sewer projects will get under way.

PennDOT District 11 said a waterline relocation project on Steuben Street in Crafton Borough would begin Monday, weather permitting.

And the second of three major sewer separation projects also will get underway Monday, borough Manager Jim Price said Friday.

For the waterline relocation project, single-lane alternating traffic controlled by flaggers will occur on Steuben Street at the intersection with West Crafton Avenue weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. as needed, through late December.

Crews will begin working overnights before completing restoration work during daylight hours.

Pennsylvania American Water’s contractor, Wilson Excavating, will conduct this work.

PennDOT is not involved in that work and said those with questions should contact Caleb McGill at 724-946-833.

In addition to the Pennsylvania American Water project, Price said the borough has three sewer separation projects either underway or about to get started. One that is underway is slated to be finished sometime in November.

The sewer separation projects will result in the construction of separate systems for sanitary and stormwater flows. Currently, one system has been carrying both wastewater and stormwater, and that often results in untreated sewage ending up in waterways during periods of heavy rainfall because the system is overwhelmed.

The sewer separation projects will result in separate systems to handle wastewater and stormwater, so that when heavy rains fall, the sanitary sewer system will not be affected, Price said. Officials say that will improve water quality in Chartiers Creek and the Ohio River watersheds.

Price said work on the next project, referred to as the Broadhead project, will begin Monday on Crafton Boulevard. That project, which is estimated to cost $6.5 million, will take an estimated 14 months to complete.

Price said the Steuben Street work is more likely to have regional traffic impacts but the Crafton Boulevard project will affect local traffic more.