Landslide leading to partial road block in Herminie

HERMINIE, Pa. — One of the few ways in and out of Herminie, Westmoreland County is partially closed Monday due to a landslide. People living there reached out to Channel 11 because they're frustrated with the situation.

The slide sits on Sewickley Avenue and Keystone Road, heading east out of town. It’s something drivers are going to have deal with at least a little while longer.

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For about the past month, signs and jersey barriers have blocked off Sewickley Avenue because the road is crumbling away.

(Below is the area where the road closure is located)

“It’s really terrible because we’re cut off. The school buses can’t get through. This is the only road into Herminie, this is our main road,” Cheryl McAbee said.

McAbee lives right at the forefront of the closure. She said because people are unaware that the road is even closed, she sees a lot of people turning around, in front of her house.

“There’s really no other good way to get into Herminie. You can go across Limerick hill, but those roads are so tiny people don’t even know how to get through there. Plus, there’s no detour sign telling you to go that way,” McAbee said.

PennDOT told Channel 11 a landslide caused the roadway to buckle and crumble. The agency said it is on their list of repairs, but said it will take another six weeks until it’s fixed and the road is fully reopened.

“It’s not like you can go up a street and turn a street. No you have to know this area to even know the other way,” McAbee said.

PennDOT said the work will start in three weeks, and it will take about three weeks to complete.

The superintendent of Yough School District said the closure does impact them, but there are alternate routes in place.

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