SOUTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Twelve homes were evacuated because of a major landslide in Washington County.
Crews worked on the road collapse on Clare Drive in South Strabane Township the past two days, trying to stabilize and fix the road.
PennDOT workers nearby came to help the township. Their plan is to excavate and back fill, not knowing how long it could take or when any of the residents will be able to drive back to their homes.
There are cones set up to divert drivers around the part of the road falling away.
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PennDOT said the collapse is not due to any of their construction on the highway below. They said it’s just typical, over-saturated soil in Western Pennsylvania.
Here is a map showing the area impacted:
On Wednesday, one lane of Interstate 70 was shut down next to the slide, where dirt and debris got close to the road. Even with a temporary access road created, the road was clogged with dozens of vehicles and heavy equipment.
Township leaders urged everyone to evacuate Tuesday, saying if there is an emergency they’d have no way to get to them.
South Strabane Township Manager Brandon Stanick said they are hopeful all the residents will be back in their homes by Thursday night.
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