Munhall council grants go‑ahead for feasibility study of proposed waterfront bike route

Diane Walter, representing Windshield Valley Accelerator, asked Munhall Borough Council for a letter of support and permission to pursue grant funding and a feasibility study for a proposed waterfront bike route. "What my ask is tonight is to get, a letter of support so that we can get grant funding and go ahead and do a feasibility study to see what’s possible," Walter said.

Council members accepted that the drawings in the packet are conceptual and agreed to let the group conduct a feasibility study to answer questions about property interests, railroad coordination and engineering. Several council members questioned the proposed alignment that would bring riders to the Amity Street intersection, saying the approach could increase bicycle traffic at a congested spot. One member suggested routing segments behind the blue buildings or behind hotels to reduce pedestrian conflicts.

Walter said the aim of a study would be to identify safe, protected connections and noted nearby municipalities and trail groups were consulting on barrier treatments and crossings. Councilors also noted Homestead and West Homestead have already provided letters of support. The feasibility work will be used to determine right-of-way, railroad permissions and engineering needs; Walter said she would return with more answers after the study.

The council did not approve engineering or construction funding at the meeting; it authorized the preliminary step to pursue grant funding and a study and asked staff and the presenter to bring back specific findings and recommended next steps.