Did state know about
landslide problem?

CONCORD, N.Y. (WIVB) -  

No one investigates like News 4.

It was just a few months ago that we first told you about the problems with soil erosion near the Route 219 project.

But did state leaders know about the potential landslide problems decades ago?

Madaline Koliwaske said, "Luke, it's just like a nightmare."

79-year-old Madaline Koliwaske knew something was wrong when the house she's lived in for 50 years began to crumble before her eyes.

News 4's Luke Moretti asked, "All the years you lived there, did you ever have a problem like this?"

Madaline Koliwaske said, "I never, never thought."

The slumping and sliding of earth on her property came in the wake of a larger slide right where the State of New York is constructing the new 219 expressway.

The State Department of Transportation maintains that the massive landslide problems were not anticipated based on the agency's own geological studies.

News 4 has obtained three public documents from the 1970s and 80s that warn of potential landslide problems in the area of Scoby Hill Road, right where the new expressway is going.

One of the reports, a soil survey printed in 1986 states "...excavations can cause massive soil slumps or slides..."

Luke Moretti asked, "Did the state look at these reports beforehand?"

New York State Department of Transportation engineer Susan Surdej said, "The state does all kinds of investigating and studies and geological testing. Again I can't say specifically if they've looked at those reports. I'm not familiar with the reports that you're citing."

Madaline Koliwaske said, "I do want an apology in person. If not in person okay by letter."

Koliwaske said, "I'm very hurt by it."

Luke Moretti asked, "You are, aren't you?"

Koliwaske said, "Sure. And I wouldn't want it to happen to anybody else."

Will the state apologize?

Surdej said, "That's certainly a conversation that can happen between the D.O.T. and Mrs. Koliwaske. I think that's a private conversation that if she wishes to take place certainly can take place."