In fall 2022, Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) and Friends of the Riverfront partnered to secure funding for design and engineering of the Turtle Creek Connector Trail. This work will continue the analysis and conclusions developed as a result of the 2022 Turtle Creek Connector Feasibility Study, led by Allegheny County. 

In developing the Feasibility Study, the project team noted that the development of non-motorized, active transportation options ‘will help meet community health initiatives’ in place to address populations in the Turtle Creek Valley who are medically underserved. Additionally, the Study notes a very high level of public engagement and support will be needed for advancing the project towards implementation. 

The nine miles of trail and on-road infrastructure will connect the Carrie Blast Furnace National Historic Landmark to the Westmoreland Heritage Trail (WHT) in Trafford Borough. This trail segment will also connect to the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) via a future rehabilitation of the Carrie Furnace Hot Metal Bridge in Rankin Borough. 

The proposed trail traverses nine municipalities within Allegheny County and will continue to engage everyone as the project progresses. The project is expected to begin in April 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. 

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