The Pennsylvania Environmental Council and local partners briefed Monroeville Borough Council on Aug. 7 about the Turtle Creek Connector, a proposed multi-mile trail intended to link the Westmoreland Heritage Trail through Pitcairn and Wilmerding toward Monroeville and the Great Allegheny Passage.

Project status and why it matters: Christopher Orban, program manager with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, said the project is in the design and engineering phase and builds on a 2022 feasibility study. If implemented, the connector would create regional recreational and transportation links that could draw trail users into Monroeville and improve nonmotorized connectivity between municipalities.

Route and ownership matters: Project consultants said the alignment relies in part on an abandoned Norfolk Southern rail siding. Project staff said Norfolk Southern representatives had visited the corridor and discussions were “optimistic,” but no ownership transfer or formal agreement is complete. The design team described typical trail cross-sections of 10 to 12 feet for shared use with 2-foot shoulders and said the team is targeting ADA-compatible grades where feasible. Partners said some sections will be at-grade along former rail alignment while other portions will require modest grades to meet accessibility goals.

Funding and next steps: Officials emphasized the project is not currently funded for construction. The project team said it will pursue phased funding approaches and is lining up community outreach events (noted as Sept. 9–10 in the presentation). The Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County and Friends of the Riverfront are participating partners; PennDOT coordination was also noted for certain segments. Project staff said they will continue landowner outreach — most notably with Norfolk Southern — and field assessments and that small-scale interim measures such as pavement markings coordinated with PennDOT are possible near term.

Ending: Officials said the project team will return with further design advances and will seek funding for construction in phases. Borough council members said they support the connector and welcomed continuing coordination with the borough to expand connected trail options.