Emergency repairs announced after Cumberland Road sinkhole; council moves to executive session on liability and litigation

Town public works staff told council that a sinkhole formed on Cumberland Road near Babcock on a recent Sunday evening after crews discovered a failed 36-inch corrugated metal storm pipe under the road. The pipe connects town storm sewers accepted in 2009 and a state 21-inch pipe; it also carries water from a UPMC parcel. Public works (S3) said UPMC contracted JetJack and Independent Enterprises to perform the emergency repair and that crews began work the same day.

Public works estimated the repair and repaving process should take about 10 days from the day crews began digging, weather permitting. The official said the failed pipe appears to be original corrugated metal, installed prior to 1964, and that the town did not accept that particular pipe in the exhibit when the roadway was dedicated in 2009.

Council announced it will adjourn to an executive session to discuss the sinkhole and related forward litigation matters; the town solicitor (S9) read several Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas case numbers to the record. Public works said the town has agreed to help manage the project with the town's engineers on-site to ensure restoration to town standards and to seek to take the pipe into town infrastructure if it is installed properly.

Residents asked whether the town or UPMC will be financially responsible for repairs; public works and other staff said UPMC has the contract to do the work but cautioned that final cost responsibility ‘‘will play out’’ in a legal process and that the town is collaborating with UPMC to expedite reopening.

The council moved to adjourn to executive session and approved the motion by voice vote.