Steel Valley Trail Council

09/07/2026

Excavator Operator Wanted

The Steel Valley Trail Council acquired a small Bobcat Excavator early this year. We could use an experienced volunteer excavator operator to help with some recent drainage areas. The storm this past Thursday dumped over 3 inches of rain in just over an hour and has caused havoc with several drainage areas.

The drainage areas are blocked by a tree stump, tree branches, a railroad tie, large hunks of concrete and boulders and even a partial section of brick wall not to mention all the slide material.

We usually work on Wednesdays from 8:30 to about 1:00 however this rain event might have us working additional days this week and maybe even this coming Saturday.

If you are an experienced excavator operator or have the necessary skills to learn how to operate an excavator let us know in the comments or call 724 405-7882 and leave a voicemail or just show up Wednesday 8:30 at our headquarters.

Our address is 902 Duquesne Boulevard, Duquesne, PA 15110.

09/04/2026

West Mifflin Finishes our Drain Replacement Project

This morning in between some brief rain showers employees from the West Mifflin Public Works Department graciously asphalt paved over our drain pipe replacement drain pipe. The trail surface had been cut and removed to allow the SVTC volunteers to remove the old collapsed drain pipe and install a new one.

The West Mifflin Sewage Department supplied a metal plate that was used to temporarily cover the trench. The Sewage Department uses this half mile stretch of trail daily to service their water plant below Kennywood. This stretch of trail consists of 6 to 7 inches of asphalt and is considered a commercial road which allows heavy trucks to travel on this section of our trail. Trails normally consist of 3 inches of asphalt.

We also thank the West Mifflin Council for their graciuos cooperation by approving this paving project which obviously benefits our trail users and their sewage department. A win win for West Mifflin and the GAP Trail.

08/27/2026

While the Trail is Closed
the SVTC is Busy Maintaining the Trail.

A few weeks ago a sink hole developed over one of our drainage areas in the closed section of trail below Kennywood An old corrugated steel drain pipe had rusted away and collapsed under the trail. Our volunteers spend about 200 hours digging out the collapsed drain pipe and replacing it with a new plastic 18 inch drain pipe. Our new excavator and other vehicles were essential in this project.

West Mifflin supplied a metal plate so that their water treatment trucks could continue to drive on the trail to get to their plant below the Phantom’s Revenge rollercoaster. The West Mifflin Public Works Department is going to asphalt pave over the new drain pipe.

When the trail reopens you will be able to bike over a new 18 inch drain pipe. This was one of the bigger projects we have completed saving thousands of dollars by not engaging a company to replace this collapsed drain pipe.

08/01/2026

07/11/2026

Trail Closing Greeted by Tree Fall

Friday morning we met at 7:00 am to start closing down the trail between the flyover bridges for the safety rock scaling project. The trail reacted angrily! A tree fell onto the trail at the Slide 2 site that initiated the hillside stabilization project. July 23 will be the third year anniversary of that big slide.

I, Roy Bires, Steel Valley Trail Council president took the picture of Mark Place, Regional Trail Corporation president cutting up the tree.

07/03/2026

Mile Marker Interpretive Sign Installation Complete

This past Wednesday we installed the second unused Mile Marker 134 behind the new mile marker interpretive sign. So we now have a sign facing unused mile markers 134 & 138. GAP Trail mile 134 is in the middle of the Riverton Bridge while mile 138 is on the top of the Whitaker Flyover ramp. Fiberglass markers were used in these two locations as the larger granite markers could not be placed in these two locations.

The new interpretive sign is beside our gazebo (GAP mile 136.5). Take a few moments to read this new sign and discover the connection between the markers and Boston Massachusetts.

06/29/2026

Some wildlife sightings..

06/26/2026

GAP Trail Mile Markers

Ever wonder about the origin of the granite GAP Trail Mile Markers? The Steel Valley Trail Council installed a new interpretive sign which documents the interesting story about the mile markers. You can read the new sign - it is beside our gazebo (mile 136.5). There will be two unused granite mile markers planted behind the interpretive sign. We installed one mile marker this past Wednesday and hope to install the second mile marker next Wednesday.

So what is the story behind the granite mile markers? I am not going to disclose it in this post. If you want to know the story take a ride on the trail and read the interpretive sign.

06/22/2026

https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/trail-groups-say-vandalism-diverts-resources-from-improvements-and-maintenance/

The recent reopening of public restrooms along the Armstrong Trail in Ford City has renewed discussion about the costs of vandalism and the challenges trail organizations face in maintaining public amenities. The bathrooms near the intersection of Third Avenue and Ninth Street are available for publ...

06/14/2026

Waterfront New Apartment Building Trail Closure and Detour

We have been notified that the trail behind the new apartment building in the Waterfront will be closing for several weeks from Monday through Friday during working hours. There is a marked detour on the sidewalk in front of the building. Be cautious when using the detour as parts of the detour are too narrow for passing bikes. Consider walking your bike especially if you see a bike coming toward you.

The trail should be open in the evenings and on weekends.

The apartment building is scheduled for completion in May 2027. The company and their employees have been very gracious to the trail folk by extending the trail and quickly reacting to our concerns.