Early reopening possible for Logans Ferry Road as slide work progresses

Logans Ferry Road in Plum may reopen to traffic earlier than expected, a PennDOT spokesman said Monday.

The heavily traveled road between Entrance Drive and Columbia Road near New Kensington has been closed since Aug. 2 while a contractor works to repair a landslide.

The closure has forced the more than 11,000 vehicles that travel the half-mile section of Logans Ferry Road every day to find other ways around, including a posted 8-mile detour for cars.

As part of the detour, a temporary traffic signal is set up on Greensburg Road at Old Leechburg Road.

The original reopening date for the road was in mid- October, PennDOT spokesman Steve Cowan said.

There is a possibility of the road reopening by the end of September, “if the contractor continues to make good progress, the weather cooperates and no unexpected issues arise,” Cowan said.

Cowan said the contractor, Plum Contracting, has completed work including excavating the road down to stable ground, benching the hillside and placing geo fabric and rock.

“They fully excavated about 100 feet of Logans Ferry Road and rebuilt the area that was unstable,” he said. “They have also done some shoulder and base repairs between Columbia Road and Entrance Drive.”

Work remaining that will be done this week and next includes shoulder and base repair and drainage improvements.

The contractor plans to place the road’s subbase during the week of Sept. 12, Cowan said. They would then need to pave the road, paint lines and install guardrails.

“They will be paving about 200 feet of roadway in total,” Cowan said.

Plum police Chief Larry Conley said his department has had its ups and downs with the detour route.

“We’ve had a lot of speed complaints,” he said. “It has been a challenge. Nothing goes as smoothly as it should. I think it’s gotten better over time.”

In response, Conley said his department has had extra officers and details in the area and set up its speed display trailer and signs. A sign recently was placed on Old Leechburg Road between Sardis and Greensburg roads.

Conley said drivers also have complained about the stop light at Old Leechburg and Greensburg roads. But with the increased traffic flow, the signal is needed for traffic on Old Leechburg to get out onto Greensburg Road safely, he said.

“There’s really nothing else they could put there,” Conley said. “It’s a temporary solution.”