Repairs to Crescent Avenue in Sewickley to take nearly all borough paving budget

A major wall reconstruction project along Crescent Avenue in Sewickley is expected to drain nearly all of the borough’s paving budget this year.

Borough engineer Mike Galet said it has not reached the point of an emergency repair, but the slim and winding road could be significantly impacted by the next major storm if something isn’t done.

“There was a retaining wall that was in bad shape,” Galet said after Tuesday night’s council meeting. “There were some drainage issues there that are causing some potential for slides with the slope actually moving. … The whole thing is on a hill and it snakes. There are certain sections you can’t even get a whole car through. It’s pretty tight.”

The engineer presented several options for council to consider for repairs.

Borough officials chose to fix the wall this year and address road resurfacing next year.

The borough budgeted about $600,000 for paving this year.

The wall replacement is expected to cost around $500,000.

“They recognize this is a high-priority project,” Galet said. “At this point, this isn’t considered an emergency repair, but it’s to the point (council) wants to do some repairs.”

The project is expected to go out for contract bids within the next two months.

Money left over in the paving budget may be used to replace curbs along Backbone Road as well as various stormwater inlets throughout the borough.

Council president Cynthia Mullins said 1st Ward council members Brian Bozzo and vice president Julie Barnes spearheaded to move Crescent Avenue up the paving priority list for year, and now is the time to take action.

“Our main thoroughfares are in pretty good shape, so this year council decided to focus our road improvement budget on this important project,” Mullins said. “Normally, we set aside $600,000 to $700,000 for things like retaining walls, stormwater management as well as paving. Engineering and geotechnical assessments have taken time, but we are ready to move forward.

”Our goal is that the project will be phased in over 2022 and early 2023.”