PROJECT OVERVIEW

In 2022, Friends of the Riverfront secured funding for design and engineering of the extension of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail in O’Hara Township.

The design of the trail is in progress, but we anticipate the trail will occur within the PennDOT right-of-way with the goal of a separate path from vehicular traffic (with some type of barrier or delineation).The approximate length of this segment will be 2.25 miles long and will extend the Three Rivers Heritage Trail from Blawnox Borough (completed) to the Hulton Bridge (connection to Oakmont/other side of the Allegheny River). 

The project began in June 2023 and will actively engage the communities, stakeholders, and project partners at various times throughout the project to review the proposed alignments as they evolve based on site analysis and public input. As the project progresses, updates will be shared here inclusive of meeting dates, opportunities to review and give feedback and any other project information. 

PROJECT PROGRESS:

The Engineering Team (led by TranSystems) and Friends of the Riverfront have been working on:

June 2023: Project kick-off, review of existing community plans and initiatives

September – October 2023: Meeting with PennDOT to discuss project and initial design ideas, meeting with DEP to discuss project goals. Developed promotional material for public outreach.

Nov – January 2024: Met with O’Hara Township representatives to discuss project and review next steps.

February – April 2024: Continued work on design plans. Met with PennDOT to review plans and discuss barrier options (between cyclists and motorists).

May 2024 – June 2024: Reviewed barrier design options with O’Hara Township representatives.

PROJECT FUNDING

Funding for this project was provided by the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County (RAAC)’s Trail Development Fund, which was made possible via the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in 2021. 

PREVIOUS STUDIES

In 2011, Friends, in partnership with Allegheny County and Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) completed the Community Trails Initiative (CTI) Study. This study outlined the extension of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail from Millvale to Freeport, as part of the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail. Another study was completed in 2018, PennDOT Central Office funded a study to look at key segments of the Allegheny Valley corridor that needed significant PennDOT and railroad coordination. This segment was identified as one of those key segments and the study showed potential solutions for connectivity within the corridor.