Polish Hill residents left anxious after landslide takes part of road, condemns house

By Ciara McEneany / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

When Rebecca Carrigan moved to the corner of Brereton and Haran streets almost four years ago, she knew she found a little oasis nestled within Polish Hill. 

But waking up last week to police lights flashing outside, and the news that the road outside had crumbled and sent a landslide crashing onto the East Busway below, was not entirely a shock, she said.

“We were afraid it was going to happen because we had seen cracks developing in the street,” Ms. Carrigan, 51, said. 

At about 3 a.m. on Friday, a burst water pipe created a landslide on Brereton Street, leading to the evacuation of one home, which has since been condemned.

Nearly 6 feet of debris careened down the hillside, leading Pittsburgh Regional Transit officials to close the busway and enact detours. 

Those living in the tiny neighborhood perched on the hill said they have been left with few answers, including how long it will take to repair the road, and if their homes are safe in the meantime. 

“We understand the concerns that our customers have raised following Friday’s landslide and water main break,” a PWSA spokesperson said in an email to the Post-Gazette. “Their safety remains our highest priority. We have secured the water infrastructure along Brereton Street and we continue to monitor the area to ensure its continued safety. In coordination with the City of Pittsburgh, we have initiated an assessment of the factors contributing to the landslide. This assessment is ongoing.”

City officials declined to comment.

There is currently no timeline for reopening the East Busway. The debris field is 5 to 6 feet high in some locations. pic.twitter.com/nvne9XQc3Q

— Pittsburgh Regional Transit (@PGHtransit) October 11, 2024

Kelly Bender, 38, lives on Kenney Way, one street above Brereton. 

While Ms. Bender was not home at the time of the landslide, knowing it happened so close has made her fear her home might be next. 

“I never thought when buying my house in 2008 that it would be the type of thing where you're going to get forced out,” she said.

Ms. Carrigan said the city told her that her home wasn’t in danger, even though she lives next to the structure that has been condemned. 

But she isn’t taking any chances. 

“We just don't know what's underneath the road, how bad the erosion is and if our house is going to start settling, it’s scary,” she said. “My business is in Garfield and I've already spoken to my landlord. I asked if he has apartments available, just in case we need to get out of here.”

Though PRT crews have removed a majority of the pile of mud and debris from the busway, engineers will need to monitor the hillside and evaluate its stability.

PRT officials on Monday told the Post-Gazette there was no update on when the busway will reopen.

Buses that use the East Busway, from 26th Street to Neville Street, will be detoured and unable to use Herron Station until further notice, PRT said in a post on X.

Detours, which will add about 15 to 20 minutes to each trip, will include inbound buses stopping at Liberty Avenue on 33rd Street and outbound buses stopping at Liberty and Herron avenues. 

Neighbors said they are  “heartbroken” over the situation. 

“I've been here a long time, I love this neighborhood,” Ms. Bender said. “When I pulled into the neighborhood and started seeing all this stuff, I couldn't stop from crying. 

“We're just one house away. It's just so jarring.”