Montour Trail-Letter

by Dick Quasey

The Montour Trail bridge crossing PA 980 near Quicksilver was unofficially opened for hikers and bikers in mid-October. An official opening is postponed until Spring 2001, when the placing of trail surface material is expected to be completed from Bugay Drive (mile 11.5) to the bridge at Quicksilver (mile 14.5), providing a continuous 18 miles of Trail from PA 51 in Moon Township (aka Groveton) to Noblestown Road in Robinson Township (Washington County). In fact, Robinson Township has started putting down surface material immediately north of the bridge, and Findlay Township has recently completed surfacing between Bugay Drive and US 22. As soon as the subgrade is ready across the Bologna property at Champion, North Fayette Township will place surface material from US 22 to the County Line in the southern portion of the Bologna property.

Design and engineering for the uncompleted sections of the Montour Trail in Washington County should be completed in April 2001. Construction can then be planned and scheduled for the McDonald trestle bridge in Robinson Township, the Trail in Mount Pleasant, and the Morganza Road crossing in Cecil Township. Construction plans for work in Peters Township ought to be available in May or early June 2001. Montour Trail projects in Washington County will be 80% funded by Federal TEA-21 allotments.

Similarly, design and engineering is underway for the uncompleted sections of Trail in southeast Allegheny County and some projects there are expected to be under construction by April, 2001. This work is also 80% funded under the Federal ISTEA program. Friends of the Trail associations have been organized as sections of the Trail were constructed in the neighboring municipalities to support local interest in the further improvement of the Trail and promote assistance in its operation. This practice will continue as other Trail sections are finished.

More detailed information will be available at public meetings which will be held in various municipalities this winter.