New gas lines will be laid this fall in Palmerton.

Palmerton Borough Manager Rodger Danielson told borough council Thursday night that UGI Corp. plans to replace the 4-inch lines currently running through town with 8-inch lines.Replacing the line is the first phase of the project.The gas line will run from Mauch Chunk Road in Palmerton out to Bowmanstown to Lehighton and possibly Jim Thorpe, Danielson said.UGI officials have told him they expect the first phase of the project to be completed in December.The new gas line will follow the curb line of the south curb, but it will be placed along the north curb so that it doesn't conflict with the current lines, Danielson explained.Palmerton council member Holly Hausman Sell asked if there will be any lane restrictions or road closures."This will certainly impact traffic," Danielson said.He anticipates that there will be both lane closures and some roads will close for periods of time.Hausman Sell also asked what routes large trucks would take. She expressed concern about truck traffic since a truck rolled over in recent years trying to navigate a steeper incline.Danielson reassured her, saying that truck traffic will not be using any mountainous routes."That's not a viable route," he said.