Retaining wall crossing the Verona and Oakmont border to be beautified
A retaining wall along Allegheny River Boulevard near the viaduct in Verona and Oakmont will be restored via a state grant project.
Oakmont was recently awarded $138,000 through the state Department of Community and Economic Development for repairs to the wall, which is on the southern entrance of the borough across from Rite Aid.
Work includes pressure washing the wall, replacing its top and repairing cracks, coating the wall and traffic control.
The wall is owned by Allegheny Valley Railroad.
Oakmont Councilwoman Carrie DelRosso said the borough spoke with the company about the wall, and an engineer determined it was structurally sound. She said the company declined to spend money on the beautification project, but may work with the borough to ensure proper safety and permitting for the project.
“We’ve had conversations,” she said. “Working with the Oakmont Boulevard Project, we’re hoping that (AVR) will work with us and have a collaborative effort.
“We felt aesthetically we needed to fix it. It’s the front end town. With the Edgewater and Rivers Edge (housing) developments, we felt it was necessary.”
DelRosso said the project was put out for bid earlier this year, but all bids came in over budget. It is expected to be rebid later this month.
Michael DiVittorio is a TribLive reporter covering general news in Western Pennsylvania, with a penchant for festivals and food. He can be reached at mdivittorio@triblive.com.
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