Old trolley trail in Pittsburgh to be turned into new walking, biking path

The city of Pittsburgh is working to turn what was once an old trolley trail into a new exercise spot in the West End.

“It was either going to sit there and not have a use for the community or it was going to become something that was more useful for the residents,” said City Council President Theresa Kail-Smith, who has been working to transform the former trolley line into a walking, running, and biking trail since before she took office in 2009.

“This actually started with just myself and maybe three or four other residents, as a resident, and I’ve gone through three or four mayors and several council members,” she said.

The West End Trolley Trail will be around one to two miles long and run from the city’s border with Crafton at Noblestown Road through the Crafton Heights, Westwood, and Elliott neighborhoods, ending near Greentree Road in the West End.

“It will connect us to other trails which is really a significant piece to complete and will offer a safe route for people to walk or bike,” said Kail-Smith.

The trail will also include benches and lighting.

It’s being paid for by a number of sources, including a grant from Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County.

Construction is slated to begin this spring.

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