Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has designated the Kiski Junction Gap as the fifth priority on its statewide Top Ten Trail Gaps list, marking a significant milestone for trail connectivity across western Pennsylvania. The designation was announced with support from Governor Josh Shapiro and highlights the project’s importance for safety, regional connectivity, and increased eligibility for diverse funding sources.
The quarter-mile gap sits at the former Kiski Junction Railroad site in Allegheny Township, Westmoreland County, where trail users currently face an impassable barrier. An active rail line stops hikers and cyclists at the southern end of the Kiski Bridge, with no legal or ADA-compliant crossing available. An engineered flyover bridge with switchback access will provide safe passage over the railroad tracks, eliminating what trail advocates describe as a dangerous obstacle.
Connecting 130 Miles of Trail Infrastructure
Once completed, the gap closure will activate a continuous 130-mile corridor spanning multiple counties. This connection would place the Butler to Brookville Route on the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s list of trails exceeding 100 miles, tied for sixth longest in the nation.
The project functions as a linchpin for three major trail systems: the 270-mile Erie to Pittsburgh Trail, the 320-mile Pittsburgh to Harrisburg Main Line Canal Greenway, and the Butler to Brookville Route itself. These networks incorporate historic rail corridors and canal towpaths that once served as commercial transportation arteries during Pennsylvania’s industrial era.
Armstrong Trails has demonstrated sustained capacity for infrastructure development over the past seven years. The organization has completed more than $20 million in trail projects since 2018, including closures of the Climax Tunnel gap in 2019 and the Brady Tunnel gap in 2024, both previously designated as state priorities.
Foundation Support for Regional Trail Development
Colcom Foundation provided funding for the first phase of the Kiski Bridge rehabilitation project, which helped connect 100 miles of continuous trail. The Pittsburgh-based organization, established by Cordelia Scaife May in 1996, directs grantmaking toward environmental conservation and regional community enhancement across southwestern Pennsylvania’s 14 counties.
The foundation’s trail investments support outdoor recreation infrastructure that creates economic impact through lodging, food service, transportation, and retail activity in communities along trail corridors. This approach aligns with the foundation’s focus on land conservation, habitat protection, and sustainable development in the region.
John Barsotti, president of Colcom Foundation, emphasized the project’s dual conservation and recreation benefits in a statement on the Kiski Junction Gap designation: “We are proud to support the Kiski Junction Gap initiative, a transformative project that strengthens regional trail connectivity and promotes safe, accessible outdoor recreation for all. At the same time, this effort reflects our commitment to conservation and sustainable recreation—safeguarding natural landscapes while encouraging low-impact travel and preserving western Pennsylvania’s scenic beauty for future generations.”
The foundation joins Allegheny Township, Hillman Foundation, and Richard King Mellon Foundation in advancing the project through design, engineering, and permitting phases currently underway.
Economic Impact and Local Business Response
Trail connectivity generates measurable economic activity for small businesses in communities along the route. Virginia Lindsay and Karen Toy Heilman of 1833 Coffee & Tea Company in Freeport noted the direct relationship between trail access and customer traffic: “When trail users stop in town, they’re looking for a good cup of coffee, or a place to cool off. Every new connection brings more riders and walkers through our doors. Closing the Kiski Junction Gap will increase trail traffic and that’s good for every small business here.”
Ashley Coudriet, who operates a trailside Airbnb in Gilpin Township, reported increased bookings following 2024 trail extensions. Jim Yurek of The Bike Lab in Kittanning described the completed corridor as a catalyst for multi-day cycling tourism, with rentals and repairs supporting his family-owned business.
Chris Ziegler, executive director of Armstrong Trails, stated that the Top Ten designation demonstrates “the Commonwealth’s recognition of the project’s importance to public safety, regional connectivity, and community well-being.”
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Dunn emphasized that closing trail gaps represents a central component of the state’s outdoor recreation strategy, stimulating local tourism and economic growth in trail communities.
Senator Joe Pittman of the 41st District affirmed legislative support for the infrastructure investment: “Bridge and trail connections help to attract tourism and economic activity for small towns throughout the region. I’m pleased to continue supporting efforts to provide increased access to outdoor recreational opportunities, which serve as true investments in our communities.”
The project moves forward with engineering work funded and design documents in preparation for construction bidding.
