Federal funding will help a project proposed to expand the Panhandle Trail into Carnegie.
Allegheny County was awarded $850,000 to support the purchase of part of an unused railroad line in Carnegie to extend the Panhandle Trail.
“We’re thrilled (with U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio’s) support for the Panhandle Trail extension acquisition,” said Abigail Gardner, county spokeswoman. “This $850,000 will be an important step towards the entire purchase of 3.4 miles of inactive railroad property and converting it into a trail that will be a real boon for residents of Carnegie, Collier and Scott.”
Allegheny County’s department of economic development will continue to pursue purchasing the entire corridor and has submitted grant applications with the state, Gardner said.
Completing the entire purchase could take another 18 months to two years.
There is not a final cost yet for purchasing the entire 3.4 miles.
The project involves the purchase of the inactive Pittsburgh and Ohio Central Railroad property from Genesse and Wyoming, Inc. to convert the railroad property to trail. It calls for extending the Panhandle Trail from its current trail head at Walker’s Mill in Collier, into downtown Carnegie.
“The conversion of an unused transportation corridor to trail will provide mobility, safety, recreation and quality of life benefits not only to the residents of Carnegie, Collier and Scott, but also to the larger region,” Gardner said. “In addition, filling a 3-mile trail gap will maximize the region’s investments already made in trails, public transit and roads.”
The trail extension can connect people to destinations along the Parkway West, Gardner said. It would also connect to the West Busway station at Carnegie.
