Pittsburgh began the first of three projects Monday to stabilize the hillsides on Mount Washington.
The first work site will be along William Street, which will be closed between Arlington Avenue and Cola Street until December. Later, work will be done on Reese and Greeenleaf streets under a $10 million grant announced in December by the Federal Emergency Management Agency after a series of landslides in the neighborhood in recent years.
During the closure, Allison Park Contractors will work on stabilizing the northern and western slopes of Mount Washington. The work will include installing retaining walls and other measures to protect homes and roadways in the area.
Beginning May 6, crews will begin building a temporary road between Lava and Cola streets to provide access during the project.
William Street has had a number of landslide problems that have resulted in street closures and the condemnation of one home. This work is designed to reduce the amount of debris falling onto McArdle Roadway and Arlington Avenue.
The future work on Greenleaf Street is a follow up to a 2018 landslide onto Saw Mill Run Boulevard (Route 19/51) that heavily affected traffic in that area. Reese Street will be stabilized to mitigate the chances that slope movement could damage the Emerald Park Trail.
“The Mount Washington landslide remediation projects are excellent examples of what can be accomplished when municipal, state and federal government officials work together on solutions that will provide benefits well into the future,” Randy Padfield, director of the state Emergency Management Agency, said when the grant was announced.
“The success of these hazard reduction projects shows how strong partnerships lead to more resilient communities in the commonwealth.”
Ed covers transportation at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Email him at eblazina@unionprogress.com.