Panhandle Trail

This is somewhat GAP related. Currently, there is local trail that goes from Weirton, WV to Walkers Mill, PA. A proposed 2.27 mile extension would be on an abandoned rail line and would extend it from Walkers Mill to Carnegie, PA.

https://nextpittsburgh.com/latest-news/carnegie-borough-seeks-public-input-on-a-proposed-2-27-mile-extension-of-the-panhandle-trail/

If you live in the area or use the trail, there is a “Letters will be accepted” link in the article to provide feedback and tell the Borough of Carnegie how much you’d like to see this extension happen. You can do so through the end of March.

This has been considered one of the easier and more straightforward extensions out there in this area.

After this extension is in place, this would leave one final missing link...Carnegie to Pittsburgh. Local advocates think some sort of protected sidewalk on the Port Authority West Busway could get riders safely from Carnegie to Carson St in Pittsburgh and connect to the GAP. Others have suggested building a trail alongside Chartiers Creek all the way to the Ohio River. There also appear to be some rail lines coming out of Carnegie heading towards the Ohio River but I do not know if they are active or abandoned.

This second extension of the Panhandle would be much trickier of course but we have to take victories when you get them!

Many people who use the C&O/GAP on cross country trips often find it hard to get between Pittsburgh and West VirginIa and this extension, while not a total solution, brings this reality one step closer.

John

Unfortunately a safe, tour bike route from Carnegie to Pittsburgh is not likely to be seen in my remaining lifetime. As John notes the proposed extension of the Panhandle Trail from Walker’s Mill would be a good prelude however.

It’s so sad that there isn’t a workable solution to make this happen. I know it’s not an easy connection but are there any actual plans in place? I’ve don’t believe I’ve seen any. It’s seems like it’s nothing more than a few random ideas being exchanged on various cycling message boards. Like Rivnuts said, it could be years or decades before anything serious is proposed, if ever.

One could bypass Pittsburgh altogether and connect to the Montour Trail at McKeesport but a lot of people like going through Pittsburgh (restaurants, hotels, bike repairs), plus it’s a fun ride in and around the city on the GAP. Others may find the cut through from McKeesport to Clariton to be challenging but certainly not as challenging as getting from Carson St in Pittsburgh to Carnegie.

The primary challenges in linking Downtown Pgh to Carnegie and the Panhandle Trail would appear to be the terrain between the two and the existing infrastructure, i. e. roads. The first is hilly and the latter are narrow and winding. Conquering those two is a major challenge.

One possible solution for bike tourers to get between downtown Pgh and Carnegie would be to take a Port Authority bus, I.e. Route G2 via the west busway, all of which have bike racks. Unloading your gear from the bike and carrying your gear onto the bus would be a pain but can be done. The Pedalshift Project host has explained that plans for a bike tour can incorporate modes of transportation other than the bike to complete or enhance a particular adventure.