The first step to correct landslide conditions on Beighley and Round Top roads has been approved by Murrysville Council.
Council recently approved proposals from Pennsylvania Soil and Rock Co. to perform geotechnical studies on both slide areas. The total cost is $21,480; $9,960 for Round Top Road and $11,520 for Beighley Road.
The studies will analyze subsurface soil conditions at each site through core borings as well as slope conditions. The company will prepare a plan to correct the problems and submit final designs and drawings for each site.
The slides occurred after heavy rain about a year ago. Repairs to the two roads were among projects shelved last year because of budget concerns.
Some council members questioned whether the contracts could be approved without formal bidding. Solicitor George Kotjarapoglus said the bid process would take about six weeks to complete, but council could act if an emergency or hazard exists.
"I guess my question is, if we looked at it last year and didn't do anything, how can we call it an emergency this year?" Councilman Dennis Pavlik said.
"That currently exists," said Don Glenn, Murrysville's consulting engineer. "It is a true statement that we have a hazard, particularly on Beighley."
He said the slide area is steadily expanding and threatening the traffic lanes.
Glenn said the landslide conditions are an emergency because the deterioration increased over the winter.
The action was approved unanimously.
