Major Project Begins To Reduce Flooding In Pittsburgh Neighborhoods

PITTSBURGH, PA — As frequent storms and heavy rains have lashed the city all month, the city of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Water are teaming on a $6.8 million project designed to reduce flooding in two city neighborhoods.

Ground has been broken on the Stewart Avenue Stormwater Improvement Project. The major infrastructure endeavor project is intended to stem flooding risks and improve storm water management in Carrick and Overbrook.

For years, heavy rain in those neighborhoods has sent storm water across streets, down hillsides and toward homes because the project area lacks the dedicated infrastructure needed to properly collect and manage runoff.

The project will change that by installing a new storm sewer system on Stewart Avenue, along with new catch basins and manholes on Stewart Avenue and surrounding streets. The improvements will capture runoff that currently travels overland and provide a dedicated system to safely convey storm water through the neighborhood.

“When residents raise concerns about flooding, they deserve solutions that address the root causes of the problem,” Mayor Mayor Corey O’Connor said in a statement.

“By partnering with Pittsburgh Water on this project, we’re improving roads, reducing flooding risks, and investing in infrastructure that will benefit Carrick and Overbrook for years to come.”

Construction is underway and is expected to continue through September. Traffic will be maintained with flaggers and temporary lane restrictions as work progresses. Pittsburgh Water will continue to provide residents with construction and traffic updates throughout the project.