Tube City Almanac

October 03, 2009

New Section of Trail Connects City, Duquesne

Category: News || By John Barna and Jason Togyer

Tube City Almanac/John Barna photo


Local, state and county officials gathered Friday morning for the dedication of more than a mile of new biking-hiking trail along the Monongahela River in Duquesne, and the opening of a new flyover ramp into that city's industrial park.

Tube City Almanac/John Barna photo


Above, a tunnel under the flyover ramp is officially opened by Allegheny County Councilman Bob Macey (D-West Mifflin); Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato; Duquesne Mayor Phil Krivacek; Linda McKenna Boxx, president of the Allegheny Trail Alliance; and Hannah E. Hardy, president of the Steel Valley Trail Council.

Tube City Almanac/John Barna


The new trail mileage also finally allows cyclists and hikers to use the former Pennsylvania Railroad bridge that crosses the Monongahela River at Riverton.

Allegheny County acquired the bridge for use by the bike trail in 2008, but it has been unusable because the Duquesne trail mileage was incomplete.

Tube City Almanac/John Barna photo


Boxx last week told members of the McKeesport Trail Commission that by this time next year, the Steel Valley Trail should be "knocking on Sandcastle's door" in West Homestead.

When completed, the trail will be part of a continuous network of biking and hiking trails between Pittsburgh and Cumberland, Md., known as the Great Allegheny Passage.

That network, in turn, connects with the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal trail to Washington, D.C.

As reported last week in the Almanac, other improvements to the city's trail network --- including a new segment of trail to the mouth of the Youghiogheny River --- should be completed by Dec. 7.

(All photos: John Barna for Tube City Almanac. Additional photos after the jump.)

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Tube City Almanac/John Barna photo


Linda McKenna Boxx, president of Allegheny Trail Alliance, addresses the crowd at Friday's dedication.

Tube City Almanac/John Barna photo



Tube City Almanac/John Barna photo






Your Comments are Welcome!

Anyone who hasn’t made the treck across the Riverton Bridge should. I walked my youngest across last weekend and she really enjoyed it. Former Mayor Bendel had the foresight to see that McKeesport would once be a destination point on the trails. We’re not quite there yet but his dream is becoming a reality.

Paul
Councilman Shelly - October 04, 2009



Ran on it today but my left leg was still a little gimpy from the Great Race last week. Only did a couple miles. This is a fantastic asset for the Mon Valley.
Sergeant Mike - October 04, 2009



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