$3.5M purchase of bridge, rail line, opens path to Armstrong trail expansion

An old railroad bridge spanning the Kiski River that kids double-dog dared each other to cross is now a critical link to hundreds of miles of hiking and cycling trails — and potential economic development.

Armstrong County purchased the bridge, erected in 1899 over the Kiski River, and 14 miles of the former Kiski Junction Railroad corridor for $3.5 million. The trail and bridge — which are not open to the public yet — will be developed in the next two years and maintained by Armstrong Trails.

The railroad bridge spans Allegheny Township and Schenley in Gilpin. It is a crucial link that will connect 130-plus miles of continuous, off-road, ADA-­compliant trails in Armstrong, Allegheny, Butler, Clarion and Westmoreland counties. It also will connect to other trails, including the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail.

“That bridge is everything,” said Chris Ziegler, executive director of Armstrong Trails, which traverses 36 miles along the eastern bank of the Allegheny River in Armstrong and Clarion counties.

“There is no Erie to Pittsburgh Trail without it,” she said.

Long, off-road recreation trails can generate revenue for businesses from cyclists in need of food, lodging, entertainment and more in small towns along the way.

Some businesses already are preparing. They won’t have to wait long, trail officials said.

Ice cream, beer and coffee

The 1833 Coffee and Tea Co. in Freeport expects an influx of cyclists and tourists when the railroad bridge opens. Ten or more cyclists already stop by daily from the Butler-Freeport Community Trail, with the trailhead in Laneville only three-quarters of a mile from the shop, said Virginia Lindsay, co-owner of the coffee shop.

Attracting them is the signature 1833 latte infused with brown sugar and cinnamon, along with organic, fair trade iced teas and mixed-berry scones from the nearby Lil’ Bean Backerei.

Already serving a steady stream of customers since it opened last August, the shop has sold 12,000 lattes since January, Lindsay said.

“People want to do something after their rides like having a nice coffee, dinner or lunch,” she said.

Ziegler added: “Trail users want ice cream, beer and coffee.”

Lindsay posted signs at the Laneville trailhead with a QR code directing trail riders to her coffee shop.

Cyclists need to know about more of the town’s businesses, and more businesses should cater to them, Lindsay said. Signage is needed.

“The towns have to be ready,” Ziegler said. “A lot of people just want to show up on a trail and need services.”

Economic changes

Armstrong County commissioners see the bridge and trail connections as a tourism magnet and a much-needed economic spark to the small towns lining the Kiski and Allegheny rivers, including Freeport, Leechburg, Gilpin, Ford City, Kittanning and others.

“We are all about attracting people and venues to do that,” said Don Myers, chairman of Armstrong County commissioners.

County commissioners supported the Kiski Junction trail project, landing a $3.5 million grant to pay for the railway purchase from the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission and PennDOT. County commissioners secretary Pat Fabian serves as the SPC’s vice chairman.

The grant money comes from a PennDOT fund dedicated to trail development.

“Had we not gone after it, the money would have gone across the state,” Myers said. “We are full throttle on economic development and growing this county and are going after any grants available.”

Myers admitted that bringing in a bike trail for economic development is something different.

“Before getting involved, I had no clue it can generate that much income for small businesses and draw people,” Myers said.

Trail impact

The Kiski Junction rail line and bridge were owned by Rosebud Mining and used for hauling coal from its Logansport mine in Bethel Township. For many years, the short line also operated as a popular tourist attraction, especially for rides in the fall. The railroad officially closed last year, shortly after the mine was shuttered.

The new Schenley bridge addition to Armstrong Trails is an important link to the Erie to Pittsburgh trail, one of the major trails in the western part of the state.

“This is a critical gap filled,” said Courtney Mahronich-Vita, vice president of the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail Alliance and director of trail development for Friends of the Riverfront, which manages and develops the Three Rivers Heritage Trail in Allegheny County.

“It’s probably the largest trail acquisition in decades in the area,” she said. “It’s a huge accomplishment.”

The Erie to Pittsburgh trail, estimated to be about 140 miles long, is 66% completed. Adding the Kiski Junction Railroad portion will complete the trail by 72%, she said. Most of the remaining gaps are in Erie and Allegheny County.

Wesley Robinson, press secretary for the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, said linkages to create longer trails mean more opportunities for residents and others.

“We’re always looking to develop and expand and work with communities working on recreation trails,” he said.

The state is home to more than 12,000 miles of existing off-road trails, he said.

“There are lots of businesses sustained by people touring the outdoors, whether it’s driving through a park or spending the night. It’s a $12 billion industry in Pennsylvania.”