| Title: | Glassport Borough Landslide Remediation |
| Grant Award: | $125,352 |
| Location: | Detroit Avenue, Glassport Borough, Pennsylvania |
| Collaborators: | ACCD, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Glassport Borough Municipality |
| Program: | Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Road Grant |
ACCD provided funding to Glassport Borough through the Dirt, Gravel, and Low Volume Road Grant Program, to remediate a landslide using a vegetated geocell wall. Landslides mobilize large amounts of sediment and deposit it in nearby waterways, negatively impacting aquatic environments and communities.
Detroit Avenue is on a steep slope above a stream that flows to the Monongahela River. The combination of spring seeps and groundwater led to a slope failure, compromising the integrity of the road. Southwestern Pennsylvania has the highest concentration of landslides in the state. Data from 2019 estimated 123 active landslides in PennDOT District 11 (Allegheny, Beaver and Lawrence Counties).
Description of Work
To achieve a successful project, drainage infrastructure was installed on the road and the hill to prevent continued slope deterioration.The hillside was then repaired with a vegetated geocell wall in which layers of stone and cells are installed flush with the roadway to create a stable platform. Soil-filled cells are at the front of the wall and 2A clean stones are at the back of the site.
Ensuring the repair of the landslide is important for maintaining the stability and functionality of the roadway. However, addressing underlying drainage issues is crucial to a successful project outcome. To prevent future damage, the project included additional drainage to prevent water on the street and hillside from deteriorating the slope.
Green infrastructure allows vegetation, which preserves the hillside and provides infiltration and habitat for wildlife. The geocell wall materials were provided by ACF environmental. Funding was provided through ACCD’s Dirt, Gravel, and Low Volume Road Grant Program, which enables municipalities to make environmentally sensitive and low-cost solutions for roads negatively impacting streams in the county.
Get Assistance
ACCD provides technical assistance to improve water and soil resources throughout the region.