West End landslide that destroyed home disrupting traffic, businesses

PITTSBURGH — A landslide that destroyed a home Sunday in Pittsburgh’s West End is causing traffic issues.

The landslide, which began nearly a week ago, worsened Sunday, demolishing the hillside home and forcing the closure of part of Route 51 near the West End Circle.

Residents of the Greenleaf Street home were ordered to evacuate on Friday night, according to Pittsburgh officials.

"This morning, it was evident the home was not going to be saved, so we were again able to bring the family out to recover some items from the yard," Karina Ricks, director of Department of Mobility and Infrastructure, said Sunday.

More than 2,300 people in the area were temporarily without power after the slide knocked down utility poles. Areas that lost power included Crafton, Green Tree, Elliot, Mt. Washington, Sheraden, West End and Westwood.

"There's so much power behind that. You can't stop it, either," Robert Dick, of Monroeville, said.

It is unclear when the ramp from Route 51 to the West End Circle will reopen.

Witnesses marveled at the aftermath of the slide.

“I heard this loud noise and I came out and looked … trees and telephone police were coming down,” Leonard Stevenson, who lives nearby, said.

Crews are still assessing the damage, and cleanup could take a while.

"There's a lot of earth there that needs to be moved and we have to find a place to put it, and it has to be safe before we start moving it, so it's going to be a while," Cheryl Moon-Sirianni, of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, said.

In the meantime, businesses are being impacted by the road closure.

“It’s like a ghost town in here because nobody can get in or out,” Sarah Jones, of All-Phase Electric Supply Co., said.

The city is seeking assistance from the state Emergency Management Agency and Gov. Tom Wolf's office.

Cox Media Group