What you need to know for the former Cheswick Generating Station implosion Friday

Springdale and Allegheny County officials plan to evacuate dozens of homes and other structures for Friday’s implosion of the boiler house at the former Springdale power plant.

In a message on X, formerly Twitter, county officials said all structures in the evacuation zone around the implosion site should be evacuated before 7 a.m. Friday. In addition, a larger “shelter in place” zone has been drawn and residents there are ordered to remain inside their homes from 7 a.m. until the “all clear” signal is given after the implosion, which is scheduled for around 8 a.m.

Springdale Borough Police today announced final details for the boiler house implosion at the former Cheswick Power Plant on Friday, September 22, 2023. As previously announced, the implosion will occur as soon after 8 AM as safety and precautions permit.

The operation… pic.twitter.com/06QHFEUKWc

— Allegheny County (@Allegheny_Co) September 18, 2023

It’s estimated residents in the evacuation zone will be able to return by 11 a.m. About 45 buildings are in the evacuation zone.

“We’re asking that everybody pays attention to the police, the plant workers and emergency responders. We’re only working to keep everybody safe,” said Allegheny Valley Regional Emergency Management coordinator Bruno Moretti.

He said there were no injuries during the June 2 implosion because everyone heeded directions from police. He said if everyone cooperates like they did for the first implosion, there won’t be any problems.

The exclusion zone is set up to prevent people from getting too close to the implosion, officials said. Police ask people to cooperate with them and the contractors to ensure safety and minimize inconvenience.

Friday’s implosion of the boiler house at the former Cheswick Generating Station in Springdale will be larger than the June 2 implosion of the plant’s smokestacks, officials said, and therefore requires a larger exclusion zone.

The implosion is being handled by the property owner, Cheswick Plant Environmental Redevelopment Group; Grant Mackay Co., the main demolition contractor; and Controlled Demolition Inc., the explosive subcontractor. Those same entities coordinated the June implosion of the smokestacks at the site.

At 5 a.m. Friday, police will close the following streets: Chestnut, Garfield, Grant and Porter streets; Lincoln, Maxwell, Murrayhill, North Duquesne, South Duquesne and Standard avenues; Mellon and Mills alleys; and Duquesne Court. At 7 a.m., Freeport Road and Pittsburgh Street will be closed from Murrayhill Avenue in Cheswick to Colfax Street in Springdale.

Alternate routes will be posted at the closures, and police also will be available to assist traffic. According to authorities, residents will be able to leave the area from 5 to 7 a.m., but starting at 7 and until the all-clear is given after the demolition, no one will be permitted to come or go. Violators will be detained, officials said.

Residents in the area might see dust and feel vibrations and will hear noise, officials said. Officials already went door to door to speak with impacted properties and will do so again this week.

Leading up to the implosion, a 10-second siren blast will be activated at the 10-minute, 5-minute, 1-minute and 30-second marks.

Utility providers have implemented plans for continuity of service, officials said. Representatives from each utility will be on site Friday to respond to any issues that might arise.

Crews have been working to remove as much material as possible from the boiler house to limit the amount of dust from the implosion; however, officials said dust is an unpreventable byproduct of the demolition.

Those nearby are advised to close all windows, doors and air intakes and cover openings that might allow dust to enter their property. Officials also recommend exhaust fans be turned off, and that outdoor furniture or features be taken inside or covered to prevent dust problems.

Because of the implosion, noise levels within the exclusion site will be heightened, officials said. Those in impacted areas who would like hearing protection should contact Grant Mackay crews at 801-347-6469 or 281-508-4442.

Vibration estimates have been calculated, but residents are encouraged to remove delicate items or family heirlooms from walls or shelves. Items can be laid on a couch or bed during the implosion.

Crews will use explosives to implode the building, which is about 120 feet by 175 feet. The area around it has been cleared so contractors can safely access the debris for removal.

After the implosion, crews will determine whether changes have occurred using a predemolition photographic survey, vibration monitoring records and completion of pre- and post-survey reports submitted to the state. People can contact Grant Mackay, and representatives will coordinate the cleanup activities with homeowners.

Water trucks will spray down dust in the area following the implosion.

The Allegheny Valley School District does not have school for students Friday. It was scheduled as a professional development day, and school staff will meet at the Acmetonia building in Harmar.