Mar 30, 2018 2 min read

The state Department of Transportation and Consol Energy expect to begin work within the next few weeks to reopen Bristoria Road in Richhill Township.

The road, between Claylick and Whitethorn Run roads, has been closed since Jan. 11 as a result of a slide. One-lane traffic restrictions also are in effect along other sections of the road to the south of this area because of additional slides.

Consol is assisting PennDOT in reopening the road, though it is uncertain whether the cause of the slides is attributed to mining, Consol spokesman Zachery Smith said.

The company’s Bailey Mine mined beneath the area last spring, Smith said. However, the company believes the slides were caused by the extremely wet winter weather, he said. During the last few months, numerous slides attributed to wet weather have been reported throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania.

“We have mining activity in the area and work closely with them (PennDOT) to help out when there are issues,” Smith said.

The company began working with PennDOT to get the road opened after the slide closed the road in January, Smith said. However, before the cleanup work could begin, he said, West Penn Power had to do work to ensure its electrical lines and utility poles were safe.

“That definitely delayed the cleanup,” Smith said.

Smith said he understands West Penn recently completed its work, which will allow the company to begin removing the material from the roadway.

“I’d anticipate the work to clean up the road will begin in the course of the next week or two,” he said.

PennDOT spokeswoman Valerie Petersen said the department believes the coal company is responsible for the slides and is working with the company to have the work completed. She, too, noted the power company had to complete work on its utility poles before any excavation could begin.

Consol is taking the lead in the project, Petersen said. “We’re not in charge of the scene, but we’re hoping (the road is reopened) in a couple weeks,” she said.