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Landslides Cause Road Restrictions Near New Brighton Schools

NEW BRIGHTON (KDKA) -- Crews with the Borough of New Brighton spent hours doing all they could to prevent Harmony Road from giving way.

"As long as we keep water out we're okay. That's the key," Operator of New Brighton Borough Bob Barr said.

Barr says an old pipe broke and washed down a hill from all the rain earlier this week. The rock the road was built on is shale, which erodes very easily.

"It is warmer than it used to be. We don't have winters like we used to, and just have torrential rains now," Barr said.

So crews spent the day putting a new temporary pipe in. This landslide is a concern since New Brighton's high school and elementary school sit above.

"What we're worrying about at this point is delays. Buses may see them during the morning and afternoon drop off and pick up," Superintendent of New Brighton School District Joe Guarino said.

That's because crews blocked off one side of the road with jersey barriers so now it's just one lane leading up to the schools.

"They're gonna have if blocked off to one lane with a stop sign on each side," Guarino said.

This temporary fix works for now and the main thing is it's safe.

"It's fine for car traffic and the weight of bus traffic," Guarino said.

The borough manager says it will cost about $500,000 for a permanent fix, but it could take at least a year or two before officials find out if they'll get approved for local, state and federal funding.

"If I can't keep the pipe where it was restored, then I have to close the road," Barr said.

The only other road that leads to the schools is 13th Street Hill. There was a landslide on that road two years ago and has been down to one lane ever since. The state owns that road and PennDOT has it on its list of projects that still need fixed.

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