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The Great Allegheny Passage is the trail between Pittsburgh, PA and Cumberland, MD, continuing on the C&O Canal to Washington, DC. This 330 mile trail is almost complete. The remaining gaps are 9 miles between Mckeesport, Pa and Southside Pittsburgh and a short segment by the Monongahela Wharf.
Many have been asking about the status of this gap and when it will be completed. A statement, from the President of Allegheny Trail Alliance (ATA) with link annotations added, can be found here. My (Roy's) understanding of the trail gaps between Pittsburgh and Mckeesport, PA. can be found here. It is based on Jack Paulik's excellent presentation April 2008 at the Bulgarian Macedonian Center in Homestead, augmented by field reports and discussions with the Allegheny Trail Alliance, and the Steel Valley Trail. This page is not an official anything of (nor endorsed by) the Allegheny Trail Alliance nor the Steel Valley Trail nor Riverlife.
As of 6 Aug 2008 the ATA coffers for funding the nine mile gap were about $2 million short. $8.2 million has been raised in less than 18 months, but three bridges, ramps and asphalt surface are expensive. The contractors have been efficient and generous but work will stop if funding runs out. If you would like to help, even in a small way, click here.
Please stay off the sections of trails that are marked as closed. For safety and legal reasons, there is to be no public use until the section is complete, including any necessary fencing. It is desired to maintain good relationships with property owners. One of the trail officials said "It has taken years to get what we have thus far from our property partners. We need to close deals on other properties with these same partners." Staying off closed trails will help.
You can get an interactive map with this information using
Google Earth or
Google
Maps.
| The letter in the left hand column correlates to letters in the map above. | Subscribe to receive notice of changes to this page. |
 |
| Trail Section | Comments | |
|---|---|---|
| A | Point to Monongahela Wharf Trail Status: Open/Closed |
The fountain at Point State Park is the beginning/terminus of the Great Allegheny Passage. Here one dips the bike wheel in the fountain to signify the begin/end of the journey. Access to the fountain is currently (Nov 2009) unavailable. They are renovating the side walk and paths along the river front. Access to the park is only from in front of the Hilton Hotel. Trail Status: Open/Closed: The path to the fountain is closed. You can get to the Fort Pitt museum, the Blockhouse, and the sidewalk across the Fort Pitt and Duqusne bridges. (Ridden 06 Nov 2009) |
| B | Monongahela Wharf Trail Status: Open |
This section of trail was officially opened Nov 16. It includes a very nice path along the river edge, boat tie-ups, heart plants and a flood-resistant infrastructure. Currently (Nov 2009) the only access is via the parking lot ramp at the corner of Fort Duquesne Blvd and Wood Street.
Trail Status: Open: |
| B | Switchback Wharf to Smithfield Sreet Trail Status: On road |
To complete the connection between the Eliza Furnace Trail and Point Park, Riverlife has plans for a ‘switchback’ ramp from the Smithfield Street bridge down to the Mon Wharf Landing along the river. The completion of the switchback will eliminate a long block on busy Fort Pitt Blvd which is one way towards the Point. This project is scheduled to be completed in 2011. Riverlife has in hand $1 million of the project. There is the remainng $2.1 millin in the Transportation Enhancements bill that is currtly (nov 2009) hung up in congress.. Trail Status: On road: To get from the wharf to Smithfield Street - About half way along the wharf the exit road leads up to the left. Follow it up to Fort Pitt Blvd which is one way against you. From this point, one can go two blocks over to the Blvd of the Allies and then two blocks back on Smithfield Street, or cross Fort Pitt Blvd, turn right and walk your bike along the sidewalk for one block. Note: The sidewalk is in the central business district and therefore it is illegal to ride on this sidewalk. At the end of the block cross Smithfield street, turn right and cross Fort Pitt Blvd and the expressway ramp. Turn left on the shared use path (sidewalk) between the concrete jersey barriers. To get from the Eliza Furnace Trail cross Grant Street where the two expressway ramps join Grant. Follow the shared use path (sidewalk) between the concrete jersey barriers. Cross Smithfield Street, turn right and cross the expressway ramp. Either join the road traffic on the left side of Fort Pitt Blvd for a long block to the Monongahela Wharf entrance, or cross Fort Pitt Blvd and walk along the sidewalk for the block. Note: The sidewalk is in the central business district and therefore it is illegal to side on this sidewalk. Head down the ramp to Monongahela Wharf parking. At the bottom of the ramp turn right and proceed to the end of the parking area. Trail Status: Closed: |
| C | Eliza Furnace Trail Trail Status: Open |
The Great Allegheny Passage uses 2.5 miles of the Eliza Furnace trail between the Smithfield Street Bridge and the Hot Metal bridge. Trail Status: Open: Paved bike path separated from all vehicle traffic (one road Crossing) (Ridden 02 Aug 2008) |
| D | Hot Metal Bridge Trail Status: Open |
The Great Allegheny Passage crosses Second Avenue and the Monongahela River on the Hot Metal Bridge. This is a completely separated bridge form the automobile traffic. Trail Status: Open: Concrete deck on bridge. (Ridden 25 Aug 2008) |
| E | South Side Trail Trail Status: Open |
The Great Allegheny Passage will use a portion of the paved, existing South Side Trail. It currently dead ends and does not have an outlet. Trail Status: Open: But useless for the Great Allegheny Passage. (Ridden 02Aug 2008) As of Nov 2009 your best bet is to use a shuttle service from the end of the Hot Metal Bridge to either Duquesne (Grant street in the RIDC Park) (opened Sep 2009) or McKeesport. |
| F | Caruso Trail Status: Closed |
Permission is obtained, Exact trail location will be determined when adjacent trail location is finalized. Trail Status: Closed: Not yet built (reported 30 Jul 2008) |
| G | Sandcastle Trail Status: Not clear |
No easy place to put the trail. Permission not yet obtained. Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato and Kennywood/Sandcastle President Peter J. McAneny today announced they have made significant progress to accommodate the Great Allegheny Passage on Sandcastle property". See the PR release on the county web site. But note: "Many of the details, including the final alignment of the trail, must still be resolved." (3 Oct 2008). See the Post-Gazette article dated 4 Oct 2008. A Post-Gazette article with some words from Kennywood's president can be found here. Trail Status: Not clear: The cashier at the entrance road gate said that bicycles were allowed through. I do not know the official policy. (reported 30 Jul 2008) |
| H | Water Front 1 Trail Status: On road |
Permission is obtained, Exact trail location will be determined when adjacent trail location is finalized. Trail Status: On road: Not yet built, but the roads in the Waterfront plaza are wide and can accommodate bicycle traffic. (reported 30 Jul 2008) |
| I | Waterfront 2 Trail Status: Open |
Existing Limestone 1.1 mile trail, between back of stores/apartments and river. Trail Status: Open: (Ridden 02 Aug 2008) |
| J | Waterfront 3 Trail Status: Closed |
land owner permissions have been obtained. Trail Status: Closed: not yet under construction (Reported 30 July 2008) Connection can be made by using the sidewalk, crossing at the Storage facility and using their dirt/Gravel driveway. (Ridden 02 Aug 2008) I am not sure where the trail will finally be placed. This is my best guess. |
| K | Waterfront 4 Trail Status: Closed |
A paved 0.6 mile trail. Trail Status: Closed: Construction on trail. (reported 02 Aug 2008) Construction work is being done under/around the Rankin Bridge. Often construction equipment is blocking the trail. Construction work for the railroad flyover has not yet started but will be occurring at the south end of this section. |
| L | Railroad Flyover Trail Status: Closed |
Active, mainline (high speed) railroad tracks. A railroad flyover will need to be built. As of Nov 2009 all the property issues have been resolved. The subdivision deeds have been recorded. The bridge has been enginneered, designed, and the contract to construst it has been let. Track time (no trains) has been scheduled for the week of July 5 to move the bridge from where it is being built on the ground to over the tracks. Note: This does not mean that this section of trail will be complete on July 12th. The permts and contracts for the approach are not yet done. A retaining wall will need to be built to support the trail as it leaves the bridge to connect to the pipeline trail. Trail Status: Closed: Dangerous and illegal crossing of railroad racks. (reported Nov 2009). In addtion it will upset the railroad if people are percived to be using ths section. The trail still needs the cooperation of the railroad for other activities. |
| M | Pipeline Trail Trail Status: Closed |
Dirt Road 1.5 miles below Kennywood park along side the removed Coal Gas Pipe Line Trail Status: Closed: No access from either end. (reported 02 Aug 2008) With the great help of USS, 2 large coal gas pipes were removed and a dirt road graded. |
| N | Port Perry railroad yard Trail Status: Closed |
Active, mainline (high speed) railroad tracks. A railroad flyover will need to be built. As of Nov 2009 all the property issues have been resolved. The subdivision deeds have been recorded. The bridge has been enginneered, designed, and the contract to construst it has been let. Track time (no trains) has been scheduled for the week of July 5 to move the bridge from where it is being built on the ground to over the tracks. Note: This does not mean that this section of trail will be complete on July 12th. The permts and contracts for the approach are not yet done. Fencing and trail will need to be constructed from the existing trail end a grant street to the flyover. Trail Status: Closed: Access requires a dangerous and illegal crossing of railroad racks. (reported Nov 2009). In addtion it will upset the railroad if people are percived to be using ths section. The trail still needs the cooperation of the railroad for other activities. I do not know exactly where the trail is going to go |
| O | Duequesne 1 Trail Status: Closed |
As of Nov 2009 all the property issues have been resolved. The permts and contracts for the approach are not yet done. Fencing and trail will need to be constructed from the existing trail end a grant street to the flyover. Trail Status: Closed: The obvious connection along side the railroad leads to a dead end, forty feet down from the final trail location, with no way up. See preious section N about railroad flyover. (reported 02 Aug 2008) I do not know exactly where the trail is going to go. |
| P | Duequesne Trail Status: Open |
A paved 2.9 mile trail. Trail Status: Open: . The trail is open from the west end of the Industrial Park in McKeesport to Duequesne. (reported 27 Sep 2009) |
| Q | Mckeesport Trail Status: Open |
A paved 2.9 mile trail. Trail Status: Open: . The trail is open from the west end of the Industrial Park in McKeesport to Duequesne. (reported 27 Sep 2009) |
| R | Locust St Trail Status: Open on sidewalk |
At present the trail uses the sidewalk on the north side of Locust Street to get from the Instrial Park to the Marina, where the existing trail starts. The sidewalk has bicycle symbols painted on it about every thirty feet. Trail Status: Open on sidewalk: Using city sidewalks (reported 29 Oct 2009) |
| S | Marina Area Trail Status: Open maybe some construction |
Construction in this area is creating a seperate bike path by taking eight feet of road way away from the cars and turning it into bicycle path. They have moved the curb, and have rough graded the area where the bicycle path will go. It is esaily bypassed along the street, however there may be construction activity during working hours. Trail Status:Open maybe some construction: (Rode 31 Oct 2009) |
| T | Mckeesport Marina Trail Status: Open |
Start of the existing, open limestone trail to Cumberland. MD, connecting to the C&O trail to Washington DC. Trail Status: Open: Open All the way to Washington DC (rode 15 June 2008) |
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