PROJECT OVERVIEW

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

This 2.2-mile accessible multi-use trail will be paved with asphalt and is designed at 10’ wide with a 42” tall concrete barrier to separate the multi-use trail from motorized traffic. This segment is designed within the Freeport Road (SR 1001) right-of-way and runs parallel to Norfolk Southern property and the Allegheny River. 

This project eliminates a critical, dangerous gap in the Three Rivers Heritage Trail and Erie to Pittsburgh Trail systems, transforming a high-risk area into a safe, connective regional asset. By building a dedicated, accessible, and physically separated multi-use trail along Freeport Road and the Allegheny River in O’Hara Township, this project will: 

Improve Vital Community Transportation Assets: replaces a hazardous gap with a safe corridor, integrated into Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) bus stops, physically linking neighboring communities that are currently isolated from one another for pedestrians and cyclists. This connection allows commuters to safely transition between active transportation (walking/biking) and public transit, expanding first- and last-mile accessibility for the entire corridor. 

Drive Regional Economic Integration: This new segment creates a continuous connection to neighboring riverfront economies, including Harmar Township, Blawnox Borough, and Oakmont Borough – boosting local business access and outdoor tourism. 

Ensure equitable, safe access: by meeting ADA accessibility standards and separating non-motorized traffic from Freeport Road, the project ensures that residents of all ages and abilities can safely access both public transit and the adjacent Allegheny Valley communities. 

PROJECT PROGRESS:

The Engineering Team (led by GFT Infrastructure) and Friends of the Riverfront have been progressing the project alongside PennDOT, O’Hara Township, Allegheny County and Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT). The design and engineering is slated to be complete by December 2026.

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.