BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

Nice. I'm not a professional, so I can't read the plans correctly. There are several spots marked "CONSTR". I hope these correspond to the spots that need some sort of drainage work. Also I would hope that the master plan includes a provision for continuing the marking on Gloster and then to 2nd (and on to the Greenwood Bridge). I'll avoid suggesting that the trail should continue through the train yards and provide a path to the Duck Hollow trail.

The linked plans are dated 2011, pre-trail. The drainage issue I photographed when the trail opened doesn't correspond to any of the CONSTR spots. Those appear to be labeling the center line of the trail, using a superimposed LB or BL symbol. ("Construction build line"?) The cross section at the end of the plans includes a note "Profile bike path section during construction to ensure positive drainage". I think this just means to ensure water falling onto the trail flows off. I don't see anything in the plans to suggest ditches alongside the trail to collect water flowing toward the trail and direct it elsewhere and eventually under the trail, as you'd find on rail trails built on a slope. But I don't know exactly what measures would be appropriate for this specific trail, or whether you'd expect to see them in this type of plan.

Missing this trail. Any news of when this might open back up?

FYI: Just spoke with FOTR; they're going through all the necessary motions to get the project completed, and it looks like that will happen by spring, 2015. Regarding a railroad crossing to Duck Hollow: that could be in the cards as a possible Phase II; it would be an aerial crossing, if at all.

A railroad crossing at Duck Hollow will be so awesome.

Yeah we all walk over the tracks anyway so they may as well put an overpass.

I've been burned on a few commutes with trains stopped on the tracks that I don't even bother anymore.

I was riding one day and thought "there is no way that trail is still closed" and went in the CMU way straight off of 2nd ave. I just jumped the fence in the end. I probably could have gotten arrested. No good.

I've been detouring by taking the hot metal bridge to southside trail to keystone metals, taking the road between the chicanes to the glenwood bridge stairs and taking the glenwood bridge sidewalk over to 2nd ave in hazelwood. You could theoretically connect to the duck hollow trail if there was a legal crossing for the railroad tracks there.

Re: Duck Hollow: Last few times I was it looked like the RR was adding more track at the crossing--which would make it harder to cross. The talk 've heard of a 'flyover' would be a connection to the Glenwood Bridge...but this wouldn't be anytime soon... Re; Hazelwood Trail---it's gone and will be re-done as they work on the Almono site. There was talk of connecting it to the Eliza Trailhead with a bridge...but everything is in flux---that's how it gets fluxed up :-) And, not that you asked, but the Mon Wharf--SmithfieldBridge ramp has been delayed (all that flux, you know) {cost of steel has gone up so they need to change the design or some such]---but is expected to go out for at the end of the year...

These are both very important trail connections and i hope both get done , another would be a safe crossing to becks run and a paved trail to carrie furnace from duck hollow to rankin .

For some time now, the Steel Valley trail map has shown as "future trail" most of the connections mentioned and, in addition, use of the Rankin Hot Metal Bridge to cross the river. http://www.steelvalleytrail.org/trail.htm Let's hope they're able to pull it off. And while we're at it, a sane way to cross the High Level Bridge would be nice. The posted 25MPH speed limit is a joke. The sidewalk on the west side is a drainage ditch just before the bridge (North end). Once on the bridge the sidewalk is OK but you have to watch out for cars turning down the ramp at high speed.

When I have to go down the Homestead Greys Bridge I wait at the Old Brownsville Road intersection until the light turns red, then hammer down the bridge in top gear (and over the speed limit). I award myself podium if I reach the city line (mid-river) before cars start screaming by. It's all less daunting than it seems. The long straight stretch allows drivers see you a long time before they get to you and they have time to accommodate. I have yet to be road-raged (on that stretch). For contrast, I once saw a roadie type work their way *up* the bridge, and drivers were taking it in stride. The bridge may seem daunting but, in the end, it's just another busy street you eventually get used to. Now, if those pony-tail-sharrow people would get out there and do some of that spray-painting...

It's been almost 4 years! Really? When is it going to re open?

This has been discussed in other, newer threads. See http://localhost/message-board/topic/hazelwood/#post-341032