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

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. 

The approximate length of this segment will be 5 miles long and will connect to segments of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail on either side (Blawnox Borough (completed) and Cheswick Borough (planned)). 

The final alignment of the trail is not determined, but we anticipate much of the trail alignment will occur within the PennDOT right-of-way with potential opportunities for portions of the trail to be separated from vehicular traffic as an off-road and paved multi-use trail. 

The project is expected to begin in May 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. 

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. 

DOCUMENTS

Partners

O’Hara Township 

Harmar Township 

Cheswick Borough 

Blawnox Borough 

Allegheny County 

PennDOT 

PA Turnpike Commission 

Sen. Lindsey Williams 

View Other Trail Projects

Three Rivers Heritage Trail Maintenance Plan

Pittsburgh, PA

Three Rivers Heritage Trail
Friends of the Riverfront is partnering with the City of Pittsburgh to create a plan to guide the maintenance of the trail to ensure a positive user experience.

VOPP Trail Connector

Verona, Oakmont, Penn Hills and Plum

Three Rivers Heritage Trail Network
Trail connection between Verona, Oakmont, Plum, and Penn Hills.

Hazelwood to Carrie Furnace Segment

Hazelwood, Swissvale, Rankin

Three Rivers Heritage Trail Network
Studying the feasibility for the extension of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail from Hazelwood to Carrie Furnace.

Three Rivers Heritage Trail Economic Study

Allegheny County

Three Rivers Heritage Trail
In 2023 we are beginning an updated economic study on the impact of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail.

Springdale to East Deer Segment

Allegheny River Valley

Three Rivers Heritage Trail
In Spring 2023, the design and engineering phase kicked off with the first public meeting scheduled for October 16, 2023 at East Deer Memorial Park.

Harmar to O'Hara Segment

Harmar and O'Hara Township

Three Rivers Heritage Trail
Friends of the Riverfront has secured funding for design and engineering of the extension of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail between O’Hara Township and Harmar Township. 

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