Massive sinkhole in Penn Hills has residents concerned

PENN HILLS, Pa. — A massive sinkhole has some folks in Penn Hills demanding a fix.

Barricades are right now blocking the gaping hole, which spans several feet across Southern Avenue.

“This is crazy, I mean it’s sinking right there, it’s really bad,” said Wilbur Hart.

According to folks on the residential street, it’s not the first time the sinkhole has appeared. Efforts were made to fix it last year, but the fix ended up only being temporary.

Channel 11 sat down with the municipal manager to find out what’s causing the reoccurring problem, and what’s being done to address it for good.

“We’re taking the matter very seriously,” said Scott Andrejchak, Municipal Manager.

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WPXI southern avenue sinkhole A massive sinkhole has some folks in Penn Hills demanding a fix. Barricades are right now blocking the gaping hole, which spans several feet across Southern Avenue. (WPXI)

Andrejchak told us he has personally been out to the site, and is working with an engineer to determine the best long-term fix.

“We had made repairs there about a year ago and obviously they failed. We did spend a considerable amount of money.”

Andrejchak said the problem relates to a collapsed storm sewer line.

“What we are in the process of doing is finding out the best way to fix it, and we’re doing that as expeditiously as possible.”

Neighbors told Channel 11 they’re concerned about the problem lasting into the winter, and therefore preventing plows from clearing snow and performing winter maintenance.

Andrejchak said that while he cannot provide an exact timeline for the project, he wants to assure neighbors that the road will be properly salted and plowed in cases of winter weather.

He asks that drivers not move the barricades or signs that are currently blocking the hole.

Hart told Channel 11 that people are frequently doing that, and driving around the hole, tearing us his grass.

Neighbors hope the repairs take place sooner rather than later.

“It’s upsetting,” said resident Robert Gilmore. “I don’t know when we’re gonna get anything accomplished.”

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