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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. Current projection is mid to late summer 2012. My (Roy's) understanding of the trail gaps between Pittsburgh and Homestead, PA. can be found here. It is based on discussions with Jack Paulik (project manager) in Aug 2011, augmented by field reports and discussions with the Allegheny Trail Alliance, and the Steel Valley Trail. This page is not an official of anything (nor endorsed by) the Allegheny Trail Alliance nor the Steel Valley Trail nor Riverlife.
As of Oct 2012 there remains only three impediments to closing the GAP. An easement agreement has been reached with Sandcastle, so that problem is out of the way. The remaining three tasks are: 1) The engineering of the trail through the Sandcastle area. 2) The 2 to 3 million dollars that it will take to complete that section of trail has not yet located. 3) The 1.7 million dollars to build the switchback ramp from Smithfield Street to the Monongahela Wharf has not yet been located. If you would like to help with the money even in a small way, you can donate to the Steel Valley Trail Council. It helps to have large numbers of contributors when applying for grant money.
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.
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| The letter in the left hand column correlates to letters in the map above. | Subscribe to receive notice of changes to this page. |
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| 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. They are renovating the side walk and paths along the river front and around teh museum. Access to the park is only from in front of the Hilton Hotel and via the Pedestrian Bridge ramps from the North and South Shore. 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 Duquesne bridges. (Ridden June 2010) |
| B | Monongahela Wharf Trail Status: Open |
This section of trail was officially opened Nov 16,2010. It includes a very nice path along the river edge, boat tie-ups, heart plants and a flood-resistant infrastructure. Currently (Nov 2011) the only access is via the parking lot ramp at the corner of Fort Duquesne Blvd and Wood Street. One can not make their way from the Wharf into Point State Park.
Trail Status: Open: |
| B | Switchback Wharf to Smithfield Street 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 2013. Riverlife has a commitment of $1 million for the project. There is a need to raise another $1.7 million for engineering and construction. Trail Status: On road: To get from the Mon 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 to the Mon Wharf - 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 paved Eliza Furnace trail between the Smithfield Street Bridge and the Hot Metal bridge. Trail Status: Open: (Ridden Nov 2011) |
| 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 Nov 2011) |
| E | South Side Trail Trail Status: Open |
The Great Allegheny Passage will eventually use a portion of the paved, existing South Side Trail. The South Side Trail currently dead ends towards the southeast (the end away from Pittsburgh) and does not have an outlet. Trail Status: Open: But useless for the Great Allegheny Passage. (Ridden Oct 2011) As of Nov 2011 your best bet is to use a shuttle service from the end of the Hot Metal Bridge to the Pump house at the Waterfront or Duquesne (Grant street in the RIDC Park) or McKeesport Marina. |
| F | Keystone Trail Status: Closed |
Construction is happening i this area. The trail base has been graded and rolled. It does not have finished surface. A major fence needs to be contructed, and a connection to the Sandcastle section must be made. Trail Status: Closed: for construction |
| G | Sandcastle Trail Status: Closed |
No easy place to put the trail. Permission has finally been obtained. Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato and Kennywood/Sandcastle President Peter J. McAneny on Oct 19th 2010 signed a ceremonial easement agreement at the water park. At present (Nov 2011) the 2 to 3 million dollars to construct this segment of trail has not been fully obtained. It is hoped to begin construction over the winter 2011/2012 while the park is closed. Best guess is open sometime mid to late summer 2012. Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10299/1098083-139.stm and http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_705096.html Trail Status:Closed: The cashier at the entrance road gate said that bicycles were allowed through. (reported 30 Jul 2008). As of Oct 2011, the gate at the west end of the parking lot is locked because Sandcastle is closed and therefore at this time there is no passage. Homestead Police have been patrolling this area and have arrested trespassers. |
| 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 Oct 2011) |
| I | Waterfront 2 Trail Status: Open |
Existing Limestone 1.1 mile trail, between back of stores/apartments and river. Trail Status: Open: (Ridden Oct 2011) |
| J | Waterfront 3 Trail Status: Open |
Trail Status: Open: As of June 10, 2011
The trail use to run along the narrow sidewalk from the Pump House to the bottom of the Waterfront exit. The trail now has a seperate lane along the river side of the street. It has two way bicycle trafficand is protected from the automotive traffic by candlesticks. (Ridden Nov 2011) |
| K | Waterfront to Mckeesport Trail Status: Open |
Trail Status: Open: As of June 10, 2011
The 10 foot paved trail from the Waterfront to Mckessport crosses the railroad twice and passes the bottom of Kennywood on the Gas pipline road. (Ridden Nov 2011) |
| L | 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 Industrial 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 (ridden Nov 2011) |
| M | Mckees Point Marina Trail Status: Open |
Paved trail through the Marina area and the Park with a side trail out to McKees Point (The junction of the Youghiogheny and the Monongahela. Trail Status: Open: |
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