The Allegheny County Conservation District recently awarded $220,000 to the City of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority to stabilize a landslide and repair a degraded road in Homewood through the Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Road (DGLVR) Program.

Spring seeps and unmanaged stormwater caused a significant landslide on Haverhill Street in 2018 and released a substantial amount of sediment on the roadway. This uncontrolled water continues to deteriorate the road and carries pollutants and sediment downstream to combined sewage systems along Nine Mile Run. 

Excess sediment is a type of pollution that negatively impacts public health, safety and the environment. Sediment contributes to flooding and can alter stream flow, causing erosion and property loss.

At this project site, sediment pollution also compromises green infrastructure installed on nearby Oakwood and Batavia Streets that would otherwise contribute to infiltration and improved environmental quality.

Haverhill Street is designated by the Department of Environmental Protection as an environmental justice area, defined as any census tract where 20 percent or more individuals live at or below the federal poverty line, and/or 30 percent or more of the population identifies as a non-white minority.

“This program considers the intersection of the built and natural environments and makes roads safer for communities while simultaneously protecting streams, habitats and drinking water. ACCD is privileged to work with municipalities to improve these roads,” Executive Director Heather Manzo said.

ACCD will fund installation of drainage improvement measures to capture and safely convey stormwater and spring seeps to nearby infrastructure. The grant will also be used to stabilize the failing hillside, which will eliminate sediment entering the roadway from the slide. 

Lincoln Borough Project

Lincoln Borough also received $56,580 from ACCD’s DGLVR program to repair Carothers Way and reduce stormwater impacts to Wiley Run.

New Applications Accepted

ACCD is now accepting new applications for Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Road (DGLVR) Program grants.

Municipalities and other government entities are eligible to apply for projects on or around roads that are unpaved or are paved and receive less than 500 cars per day in traffic. 

The DGLVR program, administered by ACCD, provides education, technical assistance and funding to improve roads and the landscapes they travel through.

Every year, projects are funded that promote cost-effective, environmentally-sound maintenance practices to correct pollution and improve safety.

Questions about the program should be directed to Riley Kinney at rkinney@accdpa.org.

For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and assistance to property owners, visit the Allegheny County Conservation District website.

[Posted: March 13, 2023]

3/20/2023