Charles Dizard: Harrison's Springhill Road pedestrian/bike lane will benefit community

Allegheny County is in the final public comment stage of the approved Springhill Road project that will reduce the four-lane road in Harrison Township to three lanes — one downhill lane and two uphill lanes. The fourth will be restricted to a safe distinct pedestrian and bicycle shared lane. Details are available on Allegheny County’s website at alleghenycounty.us/Springhillroad.

Beginning in 2013, multiple community meetings were held with bicycle enthusiasts, township residents, Friends of the Riverfront and Allegheny County representatives to discuss extending the Three Rivers Heritage Trail through Harrison. Various trail routes were evaluated; Springhill Road was identified as the safest route for pedestrians to safely go to and from Natrona Heights, and for cyclists to ride from the riverfront to Freeport Road en route to Harrison Hills Park and the regional trail connections in Freeport.

Formal trail route designs were included in an Active Allegheny grant and a Community Infrastructure & Tourism Fund grant.

In 2015 Harrison Township commissioners signed and sent a letter to County Executive Rich Fitzgerald “to partner with Allegheny County to develop a plan for the Springhill Road corridor that is safe for bicycles, wheel chairs and pedestrians” and stated the intent was “to improve the area for local residents, and to spur economic development.”

In 2017 the commissioners signed and sent a letter to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission supporting Allegheny County’s application for federal funding of the Springhill Road project. The letter stated: “If Allegheny County is successful in securing funding to redesign Springhill Road, Harrison Township will provide maintenance for the pedestrian/bicycle shared use path to assure its year-round safety. The Harrison Township’s Board of Commissioners is committed to working with Allegheny County to bring together the collective community resources to ensure that Springhill Road can become a safe and secure pedestrian and bicycle route for the residents of Natrona/Harrison Township and the river trail enthusiasts along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail.”

The project was approved in 2018 with $642,185 in federal funding and $310,500 in county funding. No township dollars are being spent for the project’s design, engineering or construction. As a result of covid-19 delays, construction is scheduled for 2021.

Making neighborhoods more walkable can spark regeneration in our community. Sidewalks and bicycle paths protect residents from traffic, connect us to neighbors and proclaim a commitment to a healthier lifestyle. Sidewalks improve a community’s walkability score, which in turn increases residential and commercial property values. The completion of the Springhill Road project is a significant project to improve the quality of life in Harrison Township.

Charles Dizard is Harrison Township’s 1st Ward commissioner.