Work begins to repair collapsed trench on Route 88 in Charleroi
Mike Jones/Observer-Reporter
Work began this week to repair the unauthorized trench dug in Charleroi that trapped a worker for several hours nearly three months ago and has closed the northbound lanes of Route 88 through the borough’s business district.
Crews began Monday stabilizing and backfilling the gaping hole that swallowed the sidewalk and one lane of the road near the Quick Lane service center following the Aug. 28 collapse that led to the rescue of worker Vincenzo Lopez, who was buried up to his chest in dirt for five hours.
Borough Manager Joe Manning said officials are hopeful the repairs will be completed in about two weeks, although the heavy rain Tuesday and the impending freezing weather later this week could delay that timeline if the concrete base and pavement are unable to cure due to the chilly temperatures.
Three excavators were stationed Tuesday morning around the 14-foot-deep trench that was surrounded by orange fencing to protect the public from the hole, although work was halted for the day due to the inclement weather.
The collapse has closed the 800 block of McKean Avenue – which is also known as Route 88 – through the borough and forced vehicles to take a short detour onto Eighth Street and down Railroad Way for a couple blocks before reemerging onto the main road from 10th Street.
The trench was being dug as part of sewer line lateral repairs, but Manning said crews did not get permits from the borough or state Department of Transportation to perform the work.
Charles Mrlack of Carroll Township is facing six citations from the borough for not having the proper permits, and he was scheduled to appear this morning before District Judge Eric Porter, although Manning said that hearing has been rescheduled to January. Mrlack’s attorney, Alan Benyak, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Frontier Heating and Cooling LLC, which is Mrlack’s Monessen-based company, was also cited by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration for not shoring up the trench and having employees work in an unprotected excavated area. The fine associated with the citations carries a nearly $4,000 penalty, according to online OSHA records.
Numerous fire departments and the Carnegie-based Urban Search and Rescue Pennsylvania Strike Team 1 spent hours the evening of Aug. 28 into the early morning of Aug. 29 to rescue Lopez after he was nearly swallowed completely into the hole. Lopez, 28, of Belle Vernon, suffered only a broken ankle, chipped tooth and cut to his chin following the ordeal. He later attended a Charleroi Borough Council meeting to thank the fire department and was part of a ceremony in October honoring the rescue workers for saving his life.