Pittsburgh, PA – The Shapiro Administration today joined the City of Pittsburgh to celebrate the completion of three landslide mitigation projects in the Mount Washington area of the city. Pittsburgh is now more resilient to landslides, a common regional hazard due to the soil composition, topography, and weather.
Mitigation projects are a critical part of building resilience in communities, reducing future costs and potential damage to critical infrastructure. We are proud to partner with the City of Pittsburgh on these projects and applaud their efforts to be more resilient and better prepared for future disasters.
— Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director Randy Padfield
The Mount Washington Resilient Infrastructure Landslide Mitigation projects are located on the hillsides of the southern shores of the Monongahela and Ohio Rivers. The projects reduce future landslide hazards through various geotechnical engineering methods.
"Here in Pittsburgh, we know that our unique geography shapes our lives. From the views on Mount Washington to the roads and trails that connect us — our hillsides are part of who we are. But when they become unstable, they can threaten the safety of our residents and disrupt daily life,” said Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey. “That’s why I’m so thankful to PEMA and FEMA for helping us take action to prioritize remediation efforts to keep our residents safe. This support allows us to protect our neighborhoods, invest in our future, and show what it looks like when government entities come together to work for the people.”
The following projects were completed to build resilience from future landslides in Pittsburgh:
- William Street - Near the Liberty Tunnel ($5.1 million)
- Added a wall to stabilize the slope while expanding the intersection of Cola Street at William Street.
- Stabilized the William Street Path with soil nails and high-strength steel mesh.
- Added rock lining stabilization in the bend to prevent soil erosion due to drainage.
- Added two retaining walls to stabilize the eastern side slope of William Street near Arlington Avenue.
- Greenleaf Street ($3.9 million)
- Restored and widened the street from damages caused by a previous landslide.
- Stabilized the Emerald View Park Trail with soil nails and high-strength steel mesh.
- Stiffened the soil at the base of the slope and added a rock buttress to facilitate slope stability.
- Reese Street ($915,000)
- Added a caisson retaining structure to stabilize the slope and protect the downslope Emerald View Park trail and railroad tracks.
“We are deeply grateful to both FEMA and PEMA for their support in making this vital landslide mitigation project possible,” said Pittsburgh Department of Mobility and Infrastructure Director Kim Lucas. “Mount Washington’s hillsides are among the most iconic — and most vulnerable — landscapes in Pittsburgh. With FEMA & PEMA’s partnership, we are able to proactively stabilize these slopes, protect public infrastructure, and keep our residents and visitors safe. This is a strong example of what we can accomplish when we work together across all levels of government to build a safer, more resilient city.”
On average, every dollar invested in natural hazard mitigation saves society $6 in future losses, according to studies by the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS). The work completed in the City of Pittsburgh acts as an insurance policy, reducing the risk of future landslide damages.
These three landslide mitigation projects were funded through a $13,331,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program (PDM), administered by PEMA. The PDM grant was awarded in September 2020, and work was completed in early 2025. FEMA provided 75 percent of the project funding, with a local match by the City of Pittsburgh covering the remaining 25 percent.