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From: Linda McKenna Boxx, President of the Allegheny Trail Alliance
Date: Tue, Aug 5, 2008 at 1:12 PM
Subject: Great_Allegheny_Passage update on the gaps in the GAP
To: Great_Allegheny_Passage@yahoogroups.com

Dear friends of the Great Allegheny Passage:

It's time for an update on the construction of the "gaps in the GAP" - - the nine miles between McKeesport and the Pittsburgh city limits.

Short version: the trail will not be completed this year. Tremendous progress has been made, we are working relentlessly, some trail will be done, but the entire nine miles will not be open in time for the October celebration ride. Like the Sojourn last year, roads will be used.

Full story:  in this nine miles, there were 28 different properties that had to be acquired.  We have deals on 27 out of 28!  This is nothing short of a miracle to be this far.  Thank-you, Pittsburgh 250 for the attention and help. Without this convergence of interests, this section was doomed to be difficult and dangerous; with their help, this is going to be one of the best, most interesting parts of the entire trail.  Folks, this section will be worth the wait.  Bear with us.

We are building two brand-new bridges to cross over active railroad tracks.  These are tricky and expensive, and we hope to have them in place next year.  The retrofitting of the Riverton Bridge, connecting McKeesport to Duquesne, might/should be done for the October ride. When you cross this bridge, you need to shout "thank you, US Steel!" What a tremendous gift to the trail.

We are still nowhere in our negotiations with Kennywood for an alignment through Sandcastle.

The trail-building efforts are being led by Jack Paulik of the Regional Trail Corporation. The quality and quantity of work he is doing is nearly super-human.  And he has a great team to work with.

So, what can YOU do to help?

1.  Help spread the word that the trail is not done, and we can't give you a definitive answer about a completion date.  As progress is made, as we approach completion, we'll let you know. Please encourage fellow travelers to seek shuttling options when planning their trips.

2.  Thank County Executive Dan Onorato for his interest and support of the trail.  We need the county to continue to understand how important this trail is to so many people.

3.  Send money.  Our efforts at fundraising have been successful; our regional private foundations have really stepped up with very significant funding.  But we have a way to go to fund all the planned construction.  If anyone wins the lottery or wants to plan a benefit, we would be most grateful.

4.  Join the Steel Valley Trail Council.  Soon enough, Hannah Hardy and her gang are going to need help monitoring and maintaining the trail.  This is a fun job, and our volunteer trail ambassadors help make our trail what it is.

5.  Celebrate and enjoy what is complete, which has taken 33 years to get this far.  This has been no small feat, and especially astonishing when you realize that it's been essentially a volunteer effort.

Best wishes to you all, and know we'll keep plugging away until the Passage is complete.

Linda McKenna Boxx, President
Allegheny Trail Alliance