Story by Curtis Walsh with contributions by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published April 16, 2024 8:34 P.M.

(Fallston, Pa) The road closure on Route 51 could potentially last over a month. Heavy rains caused a landslide and collapse of Darlington Road all the way down to Route 51. Darlington Road remains closed while Cove Hill Road acts as a turn around. Route 51 is closed in both directions between Juction Auto Service and Cove Hill Road.

The road closure is expected to be in effect until May 31, 2024, according to a spokesperson for Fallston.

The PennDOT Geotechnical Unit will be on site Wednesday, according to Steve Coen, PennDot District 11 Press Officer.  He said crews will be taking material off the hillside. Cowan said he’s hopeful that crews would be able to open the road in a few days if the hillside is stable enough.

Route 51 is a well traveled road featuring many restaurants and businesses. Beaver County Radio had the opportunity to speak with Jim Covert, one of the owners of Zooky’s Sports Tavern, which is caught in the middle of the closure.

The bar and restaurant is no longer accessible from Fallston requiring many customers to take a significant detour.  Covert says he was never made aware from any authorities about the closure. He says business wasn’t bad over the weekend and customers are still coming but he did notice a significant decline during lunch, likely due to the inconvenience of anyone south of the detour.

Covert said he would be placing signs near the detours, to let customers know they are still open. “It’s going to be interesting” said Covert, “gotta keep rolling with the punches”.