The sound of jackhammers and heavy equipment will soon recede in Zelienople, as the streetscape project is put away for the winter in compliance with PennDOT regulations.

Borough officials say their intention is to end streetscape work for the winter starting Nov. 1.

The project must be put on hold due to the effect cold weather has on materials and equipment as well as PennDOT regulations, which do not allow for that kind of work in winter months.

“Nov. 1 is our drop dead date,” said Don Pepe, Zelienople borough manager. “PennDOT will not allow us to use the materials due to the cold weather ... and they’re right.”

The project will reach the Kaufman House before stopping for the winter.

Work will pick back up in March, according to Pepe, as the crews continue to work their way down Main Street revitalizing curbs, sidewalks and lightposts.

The other ongoing phase of the Zelienople revitalization project, the Kaufman House, has been under way for months. Both exterior and interior work will continue through the winter, weather permitting.

“It probably won’t be painted until the spring,” said Pepe.

The work on the Kaufman House has been divvied up between the borough, which is responsible for the exterior renovations, and the house’s future owner, Pat Boylan, who is responsible for the interior.

The timeline depends heavily on cooperative weather and any delays construction crews may run into.

Amid all of the construction and renovating, one of the borough’s crown jewels will be returning: the town clock.

“It’s done,” said Pepe. “The clock will be coming back.”

The town clock was situated at the corner of Main and West New Castle streets in Zelienople and has been absent from its perch for repairs since the spring.

Pepe is hoping the clock will be back sometime in mid-November, in time to grace the borough during the Nov. 2 Christmas parade.

The borough chose Verdin clock company in Cincinnati to do the repairs, said Pepe in a meeting last month.

The clock was first constructed between 1901 and 1910.

“We’re excited to get it back,” said borough council President Allen Bayer. “It’s a big part of town along with the Kaufman House.”

For more information or weekly updates, visit the borough’s page on Facebook.