Ford City Borough is proud to announce the substantial completion of the Borough’s Waterline Replacement Project, marking a major milestone in one of the most significant infrastructure investments in the community’s history. This project represents years of planning, coordination, and dedication to providing safe, reliable drinking water for residents for generations to come.
Over the course of the project, 43,200 linear feet—approximately 8.2 miles—of new water main were installed across the Borough, replacing aging and undersized lines, some dating back more than a century. A total of 1,308 individual water services were replaced, including 947 Borough-owned lead services to the existing curb box and 45 full replacements extending into residences where necessary. The remaining properties were confirmed to have copper or plastic service lines on the customer side, ensuring their private lines were already lead-free.
This large-scale project required extensive coordination of excavation, service tie-ins, testing, and restoration throughout nearly every neighborhood. Restoration and paving work are now substantially complete for the 2025 construction season. Weather permitting, O’Connor Street and remaining alleys will be paved before winter; otherwise, they will be finished in early spring. Any grass seed or landscaping that did not take during initial restoration will be reseeded in the spring to ensure full and lasting coverage.
It is important to note that paving limits were determined by the rules of our state and federal funding sources and not by Borough or engineering decision. The Borough paved exactly what was allowed under those regulations. On state-owned roads such as 5th Avenue, disturbed sections were repaved from double yellow to curb where disturbed. On Borough-owned streets, ditch line and trench restorations were completed to return disturbed areas to proper condition while maintaining strict compliance with funding requirements.
Looking ahead, Ford City Borough is developing a long-term paving and infrastructure coordination plan to align future resurfacing with future gas line and stormwater system improvements. This proactive approach will protect the Borough’s new infrastructure while maximizing taxpayer investment and minimizing future road disruptions.
This achievement would not have been possible without the patience, cooperation, and understanding of Ford City’s residents and businesses. Large infrastructure projects inevitably cause major inconveniences, but the long-term benefits to safety, water quality, and system reliability will serve the community for decades to come.
Residents who have questions, concerns, or notice any remaining issues not addressed above are encouraged to contact the Borough Office at 724-763-3081. Staff will continue coordinating with the contractor to ensure all restoration items are properly addressed.
Ford City Borough extends its sincere appreciation to our engineering firm, Stiffler McGraw & Associates, and to our funding partners, the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST), the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Senator Joe Pittman, and State Representative Abby Major whose support made this transformational project possible.
Together, we have laid more than eight miles of new waterline and secured a stronger, safer future for Ford City.
