Today, about 40 miles of trail are completed; but completed miles are not all connected, being isolated by a few large uncompleted sections, as well as some missing bridges requiring at-grade crossings of public roads.
The statuses of seven specific projects are summarized in the page below. Please bear in mind that forward-looking statements in these project descriptions are subject to change.
The MTC continues the process of detailed planning, fund raising, volunteer construction, and oversight for each individual project.
Volunteers Bill Capp, Andy Glaid, and Rich Blaskiewicz
applying a crushed-limestone top surface to a new trail section
in East Peters
The 1.0 mile connector was opened in late 2005 after renovation of the Robinson Run bridge, but the trail surface was unfinished.
Project goals include ditching/drainage improvements, final grading/surfacing, and signage installation. The connector intersects the Montour Trail at mile 16.9 and intersects the Panhandle Trail about 0.4 mi west of the McDonald Trestle at Primrose. detailed connector directions
Current Status: completed in spring 2007
More Details: Connector Project Page
Currently, trail users must use a 0.6 mi long bypass route Venice bypass route on public roads to get around this gap.
A new Montour Trail bridge is planned to span over this intersection, but installation of a new bridge cannot proceed until PENNDOT makes planned improvements to the road intersection.
Shorter term, a project utilizing an "at grade" crossing will be implemented; eliminating travel along the bypass route. However, trail users will still have to make the public road crossing at this busy road intersection.
Funding for the short term project was generously provided by Mary Shaw and Roy Weil, authors of "Freewheeling Easy," the definitive guide to trails in and around western Pennsylvania. FreeWheeling Easy in Western Pennsylvania
To volunteer for work on this project, contact Ned Williams at .
Current Status: work on the temporary "at grade" crossing began in 2007 and is partially complete. View Project Photos
Est. Completion: temporary crossing in Spring 2007, Montour Trail Bridge over intersection is 3-5 yrs in the future
More Details: Venice Crossing Project Page
The trail master plan specifies installation of a new bridge at this location allowing trail users to avoid crossing
Morganza Road.
Current Status:
- Nov 2006- Preliminary design completed
-
Dec 2007 - DCNR grant recieved for $173,000
To Montour Trail Council for further development of the Montour Trail including development of drawings, specifications, and related documents that will facilitate the bidding and construction of the Morganza and Georgetown bridges
Est. Completion: Late 2009
More Details: Morganza Crossing Project Page
Installation of a new bridge at this location is planned, and trail users
will no longer have to cross this public road.
Current Status:
- Nov 2006- Preliminary design completed
-
Dec 2007 - DCNR grant recieved for $173,000
To Montour Trail Council for further development of the Montour Trail including development of drawings, specifications, and related documents that will facilitate the bidding and construction of the Morganza and Georgetown bridges
Est. Completion: Late 2009
More Details: Georgetown Crossing Project Page
Current Status:
- 10/22/2006- Ground breaking ceremony, Volunteer work on trail surfaces has started.
- Sept 2007 - Removal of most detritus from adjacent cliffs completed. Most drainage work also completed. Bids for the three westernmost bridges opened on 9/20/07
Est. Completion: Late 2008 for the 3 westernmost bridges and trail surface between these bridges. The 2 eastern bridges are 3 to 5 years away from construction.
More Details: Cecil-Peters Project Page
Currently, original railroad rails are mounted on the Trestle deck (shown in photo to right). This project will involve removing the existing rails and ties from the Trestle, making some structural improvements to the bridge, then installing a new deck/fencing. There are short sections of trail on either side of the bridge that will also be built. When finished, trail users will enjoy a spectacular view of the surrounding neighborhood from an elevated point.
Current Status: Engineering work in progress; construction funding sources identified.
Est. Completion: Late 2008
More Details: Library Trestle Project Page
Significant numbers of school children use the trail in this area to travel to/from George Washington Elementary school located less than a hundred yards from the trail (visible in upper left section of photo).
A new Montour Trail bridge is planned to bridge this gap in the Trail
Current Status: bridge design is in the final phase
Est. Completion: late 2009
More Details: Clifton Road Bridge Page
Last modified 11/23/2006
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