McArdle Roadway Closed As Cleanup Continues, City Looks For Permanent Fix

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The latest landslide on McArdle Roadway on Mount Washington continues to keep the busy local street closed today; and as it turns out, the damage is worse than first thought.

Bob Clevenger has called Mount Washington home for more than 30 years. He lives right at the intersection of Grandview Avenue and McArdle.

Although, the mess the slide created is just down the street, he isn't worried.

"It's not pleasant to see it, and they've closed the road you know several times because of the rock slides," Clevenger says.

Although he's not concerned about his safety or his house, he is keeping a close eye on the situation, much like Pittsburgh Public Works.

"We want to make sure that not only do we secure McArdle, but we make sure Grandview is stabilized as well," said Rob Kaczorowski, of the Pittsburgh Public Works Department.

The contractor will be on the scene throughout the night continuing to try and secure the hillside; however, the roadway is expected to be closed for quite some time.

The city is currently considering options for a more permanent fix to the sliding slope.

One would involve pouring concrete on the hillside, and another would include using a netting type material.

"You roll out a fencing material down the hillside to secure it to the shale and you actually do like a hydroseed," said Kaczorowski. "You do vegetation to plant over it, where the roots grab on to the fencing and the shale."

There's no timeline on how long the work will take. In the meantime, you can still enjoy the view.

City leaders say the observation decks are not in jeopardy. They are anchored into solid rock.

RELATED LINKS:
City of Pittsburgh Public Works Department
McArdle Roadway Remains Closed
More News from Mount Washington