Rash of landslides pushes Pittsburgh over repair budget

Landslides have become a stark reality for many Pittsburgh neighborhoods and now the city must find a way to pay for it.

Two months into 2018, the city has far exceeded its landslide budget and is now using reserve funds.

Officials say they have enough to cover the repair costs, but Councilman Corey O’Connor said it’s already leading to conversations on how the city will deal with landslides in the future.

“I think in our budget when it comes up next year we’re going to have to put money aside,” O’Connor told Channel 11.

That includes leveraging grants and working with the state and federal government to find more money.

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Channel 11 learned Friday that the city’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure is studying these landslides to find the most vulnerable locations and warn of future issues.

O’Connor said the council also needs to find a way to help those who are losing their homes.

“Now people are being evacuated from their homes, where are they going to live?” O’Connor said. “There's no fund to buy their house and set them up somewhere else. We have to look out for the residents."

The city of Pittsburgh is still able to pay for these projects through its reserve fund, which is in no danger of running out.

But it puts a priority on finding a long-term solution for dealing with landslides.

Cox Media Group