Thursday, September 25, 2008

McKeesport Bridge is Newest Link in Trail

A bridge in McKeesport is part of the newest segment in the Great Allegheny Passage, a trail system that will connect Pittsburgh and Washington D.C. The Riverton Bridge once connected U.S. Steel's blast furnaces in Duquesne with the company's operations in McKeesport. The former railroad bridge now has decking, ramps and railings that will make it suitable for pedestrians and bicycles. The bridge will be open October 4th for Pittsburgh's 250th birthday celebration, but will close again afterward while construction wraps up.

The bridge will be the second-longest on the Great Allegheny Passage. The oldest is the Salisbury Viaduct in Somerset County.

Work on the Great Allegheny Passage has been underway since 1975. All of the remaining segments needed to complete it are in Allegheny County. The county has secured the right-of-way to all but a half-mile section of riverfront at the Sandcastle waterpark at the Waterfront. County Chief Executive Dan Onorato says negotiations continue.

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