Closure extended on part of Great Allegheny County Passage due to rock hazards

The Regional Trail Corp. announced Friday it is extending a safety closure on a segment of the Great Allegheny Passage in West Mifflin through at least Aug. 20.

The extension follows the discovery of two prominent rock hazards that cannot be safely removed through standard maintenance.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Part of the Great Allegheny Passage is closing while contractors address rockfall hazards

The trail segment between the Whitaker and Port Perry flyovers originally closed July 9 for a planned 28-day scaling project to remove loose material. During those operations, contractors identified hazards in critical slide areas that require an engineering evaluation before the trail can safely reopen.

The affected segment is located between the Whitaker flyover and the Port Perry flyover. RTC officials have requested that an engineer validate the safety concerns and provide the board of directors with information regarding the current condition of the trail and a timeline for necessary repairs.

The segment will remain closed until this evaluation is finished.

“Extending a trail closure is never a decision made lightly,” RTC board chair Mark Place said. “As trail stewards, RTC must continuously evaluate the physical condition of the corridor, including where rock formation hazards exist overhead – regardless of how clear or rideable the surface below may appear. While we share the public’s eagerness to keep every mile of the GAP open, our overarching obligation remains the physical safety of every cyclist and pedestrian who uses the trail.”

A licensed shuttle service arranged by the Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy has also been extended through Aug. 20 to help travelers bypass the closure. The service provides transportation between Homestead and Duquesne.

The shuttle operates seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cost is $20 per person and the ride takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes. While credit cards are accepted, shuttle operators prefer cash payments.

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