Project to put 2,017-foot biking-hiking path at river’s edge

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A $2.3 million project set to begin in September will transform part of the Monongahela Wharf into a waterfront oasis for hiking and biking, but will cost some commuters their parking spots.

The Riverlife Task Force hopes to get authority from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation by the end of the month to advertise for the project’s first phase — a 2,017-foot promenade along the river’s edge from one end of the wharf to the other.

Construction is expected to start in September, with completion scheduled for May 2009. The trail will spruce up a forlorn stretch of riverfront with new pavement, trees, grasses, benches and new lighting. All trees and plants will be native species selected to withstand flooding.

“[It’s] taking an eyesore and converting it into a beautiful new asset for the rivers,” Riverlife Executive Director Lisa Schroeder said yesterday.

The improvements will cost the wharf, which has served as a parking lot for decades, about 300 of its 700 spaces. Edward Patton, Riverlife director of capital projects, said the wharf will remain open for parking during and after construction.

David Onorato, Pittsburgh Parking Authority executive director, said the project effectively will displace 100 to 150 parkers who currently pay $8 a day at the wharf. The authority hopes to direct them to other garages.

“I guess [the project’s] one that needs to be done. I’m on board with it. It will be a good thing for the city,” he said.

Riverlife will paint and stripe the parking area as part of the trail work.

The promenade is the first phase of the Mon Wharf Landing project. Subsequent work includes construction of a switchback ramp from the Smithfield Street Bridge to the wharf and a much-improved connection to Point State Park that will take trail users past a water landing and an outdoor amphitheater.

Ms. Schroeder said the current connection to the park from the wharf runs behind bridge piers and is “just inadequate.”

The Smithfield Street ramp and the new pathway to Point State Park also will help to connect the historic park to the Eliza Furnace Trail and the Great Allegheny Passage.

Combined, the two links are expected to cost $9 million to $10 million. Riverlife hopes to move forward with those elements within a year to 18 months, if funding falls into place.

Until that happens, pedestrians and bikers will have to use existing stairways to the wharf or the current path from Point State Park to access the trail. As part of its master planning, Point Park University is interested in converting the Wood Street stairway area into a gateway to its campus.
Mark Belko can be reached at mbelko@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1262.