Residents urge reopening of Southeast Brookside Boulevard entrance after year-and-a-half closure

Bethel Park ' During the citizens' comment period, residents requested that the borough reopen a Brookside Farms access point closed since a storm-caused washout roughly 18 months ago.

Richard McNemore, who said he has lived in Brookside Farms for more than four decades, described the closure of a southeast Brookside Boulevard exit after a storm produced a small washout. "It needs about a ton or 2 tons of rock, and it's fixed," McNemore said, and told council the closure forces residents to use more congested exits that are less safe.

Resident Kevin Sheehan, who identified himself as an engineer and Ward 7 resident, said he inspected the structure and saw no deck cracks on the bridge; he described the damage as loose riprap ("maybe a 10 by 8 riprap on that hillside") and said a small amount of rock and minor handrail repair should allow the entrance to reopen. He said maintaining multiple safe access points is important for emergency access.

A municipal staff member responded in the meeting that borough engineering staff are working on the issue and that officials know the intersection in question. The transcript did not include a timeline, cost estimate from staff, or a formal project schedule.

What the council recorded: Public comments were heard; council members acknowledged the reports and said borough engineering would investigate. No formal motion, appropriation or timeline was recorded in the meeting transcript for repair work.