Bike trail segment opens along the Allegheny

Cars, trains and bicyclists will continue to share the often narrow north bank of the Allegheny River, thanks to the completion of a half-mile segment of Three Rivers Heritage Trail.

Mark Bibro, president of the Friends of the Riverfront, called the $2.8 million project a miracle. The undertaking, a joint effort involving the state, the City of Pittsburgh and several private foundations, was completed "on budget and on time," he said at a dedication ceremony today.

The new section of trail runs under the 31st Street Bridge and connects the city's network of trails to a similar biking-hiking path running through Millvale's Riverfront Park.

No group is more passionate than trail users, said Dan Cessna, executive for PennDOT District 11. As the state Department of Transportation developed plans for widening Route 28 and relocating Norfolk Southern rail lines, officials recognized they had a unique opportunity to acquire rights-of-way for a parallel bike path.

Pittsburgh agreed to take ownership of the new section of the trail.

Trail users were pleased with the addition to the off-road network.

Leah Esser, of the North Side, said she and her family use city trails to bike or to walk almost every day. Her 13-month-old-daughter, Rhyse, clearly found today's ride on the newly opened section to be comfortable. She had fallen asleep in her seat on the back of her mother's bike.

More trails mean more options for getting more places around the city without having to use a car, Ms. Esser said. "It's convenient, and it's good exercise."

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Len Barcousky: lbarcousky@post-gazette.com or 724-772-0184.

First published on September 17, 2010 at 11:37 am