Work Begins To Fix Reis Run Rd. Landslide, Raze Condemned House
ROSS TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- Work to reopen a road in Ross Township shut down by a massive landslide is beginning today.
KDKA's Lindsay Ward has learned the owner of a condemned home on Reis Run Road left his place on Friday. A lot of the debris that was on the road, such as the mud, trees and rocks, actually came from the back of the home.
Reis Run Road has been closed since May because of a landslide.
Crews on Monday are beginning the process of removing debris from the road and part of the condemned home above Reis Run.
Inspectors were also at the house determining house much asbestos needs to be removed.
"As soon as that is cleared, the asbestos will be removed, following all the proper procedures," said Cheryl Moon-Sirianna, PenDOT District 11 executive. "And then the house will be demolished."
Michael Funk, Ross Township Public Works Director, checked out the home, where a landslide happened, one last time before crews can demolish it.
"Going through the courts to release the house, there was a loan on it. So you have to get that loan released, that's what took so long," said Funk.
Ross Township resident Martha Knobeloch has lived along Reis Run Road for 33 years.
"I come out my driveway and I just look down there and I just cringe," said Martha Knobeloch, who lives near the landslide.
She says she's seen landslides in her area before, but never one this bad.
So when she heard work was finally being done, she was thrilled.
"Oh my God, it's a relief. It's like, we're going on five months now and they haven't touched it," said Knobeloch.
It was on May 31 when the hill behind this house gave way, closing part of the busy road.
Drivers who depend on Reis Run Road have faced a detour of 15 minutes under normal conditions and 25 during peak congestion. They just want Penndot to clear the driving lane and reopen the road.
But it's not that simple.
WATCH: KDKA's John Shumway reports live from Ross Township.
"The landslide goes under the house, and the slope starts about six inches from the foundation," Moon-Sirianni said. "So as soon as we start to remove the bad soil, the whole house is going to come down."
The plan is to bring the house down first. Then the hillside.
The road remains closed and detours are still in place.
Heavy equipment and large trucks are being brought into the area.
Officials say the long delay in the cleanup and repair process was because PennDOT was required to get permission to work on the private property.
Crews expect to finish work by the end of November.
The Reis Run Road landslide is just one of 120 that PennDOT is working to fix in the area. It is expected to cost $500,000 to complete the fix.