PROJECT BACKGROUND

In fall 2022, Friends of the Riverfront secured funding for design and engineering of the extension of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail between Springdale Township and East Deer Township. 

This 3-mile alignment will include a mix of on- and off-road segments with anticipated separated bike paths and off-road multimodal trails. The terminus in East Deer will connect to the East Deer Recreation Facility. In Springdale Township, the alignment will be developed in the PennDOT right-of-way, where safe and separated bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure is being planned.

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. 

PROJECT PROGRESS

The Engineering Team (led by GFT Infrastructure) and Friends of the Riverfront have been focusing on:

• Conducting traffic counts at key intersections within the project corridor,
• Flew project corridor with drone to obtain aerial imagery,
• Field View of entire corridor (August 2023),
• Coordinating with state agencies (PennDOT, DEP, etc.),
• Attended East Deer’s Summer Celebration to talk with community members about the project, and
• Prepared exhibits and activities for the October Public Meeting.

This project will run from May 2023 through December 2026.

OUTREACH EVENTS AND PUBLIC MEETINGS

Thank you to everyone who came to our October Public Meeting. Check back  for upcoming public meetings and input opportunities!

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. 

Do you have questions regarding this project? Ask them here!