County grant allows trail work to begin in Marshall

Upgrades to the trail system in Marshall Township are expected this summer thanks to a $1.4 million grant from the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County.

Marshall will use the funds to help construct missing links to the current trail network, which will increase pedestrian access throughout the township.

The township learned of the award in September. The township plans to have the first trail portions out to bid this spring with construction expected to begin this summer, according to Julie Bastianini, Marshall Township manager.

The Board of Supervisors has been committed to developing the pedestrian network in Marshall Township, she said. Its efforts led to the creation of 46 sidewalk miles and 22 trail miles within the township, accomplished through investment and land development activities, Bastianini said.

“The township is now focused on bridging the gaps between these already constructed sections to provide for increased pedestrian flow throughout the township. The projects included in this grant would do just that,” she said.

These new trail sections will extend the existing network to include more neighborhoods, businesses, and key destinations within Marshall, such as the municipal building, the Marshall Campus of the North Allegheny School District, a local farm market, the business centers of Warrendale and Route 19, and a park-n-ride facility, Bastianini said.

The work also will help close some existing gaps on the route of the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy, part of which extends from the Harmony Trail north from Bradford Woods to Brush Creek and beyond.

“Marshall Township’s trail network plan is a model of municipal commitment to trails and demonstrates that a good plan can attract meaningful funds,” said John Stephen, the conservancy’s trail network development coordinator.

A regional hiking trail network needs strong nonprofit and municipal collaboration, he said.

“The Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy has for years enjoyed partnering with the municipalities of the Commodore Perry Trail Network to extend the Harmony Trail northward from its current southern end in McCandless and Pine Township,” Stephen said.

“RCTC is particularly excited about the improvements Marshall Township has proposed for Shenot Road as that will be the route for Harmony Trail as it extends north from Bradford Woods. It can also create walkable connections to Marshall’s School Campus and, eventually, to the Brush Creek Trail,” he said.

A map of the existing and planned trail system available by clicking here.