Montour Trail-Letter

by Peter Kohnke

All of us were saddened by the tragic accident that took the lives of five persons in South Park a month ago, when a driver suffered an aortic aneurysm and careened into the walkway that parallels Corrigan Drive.

Although very little of the Montour Trail parallels auto traffic as closely as does the Corrigan Drive trail, safety considerations are an important part of our management of this recreational resource. It is impossible to avoid all accidents - anything we do in life involves some risks. But, of course, we want to take all reasonable measures in order to minimize those risks. Here are a few of the many safety-related steps we have taken:

Building a trail on former railroad rights of way where one is generally quite distant from auto traffic. Leaving as many grade separations (bridges and tunnels) in place as possible in order to avoid at-grade crossings (intersections). Putting barriers at all trail entrances, making it difficult to get on the trail with a vehicle without the correct key. Installing split rail fencing alongside the trail at a number of points. Setting up rules to follow while using the trail. Having monitors who regularly patrol various trail segments. Encouraging the local police to ride the trail.

We plan to rebuild as many grade separations as possible. As we have limited financial resources, we have to be selective in our planning and work on those locations with greater traffic volumes. In general, we would rather live with a less than optimal condition for a few years and then build it as safely as possible than to have a compromise solution that we have to live with into perpetuity. For example, rather than put an 'up-and-over' trail (with an at-grade intersection) at the Triphammer Road crossing in South Park Township, we will wait until we can run the trail through an 18 foot diameter corrugated metal pipe under Triphammer Road and thus restore the grade separation. Similarly, the Brush Run and Clifton Road crossings along the Bethel Branch are thought of as temporary situations.

High volume crossings where the railroad had no grade separation are particularly challenging. I am thinking of Park Manor Drive in Moon Township and PA 51 in Jefferson Hills Borough. No long-range plans for these locations have been laid out yet. For now, we will use existing traffic lights to help us cross safely.

Aside from intersections, we need to monitor the condition of physical barriers to ensure that they are still in good shape and have not physically deteriorated. And trail users need to observe and report unsafe conditions to the police and/or the MTC, as appropriate.

Finally, be a 'they', as in 'When are they going to do something about this unsafe condition?' Keep in mind that our volunteer or financial resources are limited. It is great if you bring a problem to our attention, but even greater if you are willing to offer some of your energy and skill to work with us toward getting it resolved.