The project includes the design of a 14 foot wide concrete multi-use path and extending approximately 3.1 miles from the paved trail at Pittsburgh Yards (near the I-75 underpass) to the end of the unpaved Southside Trail at Bill Kennedy Way. Southside Trail – Segments 2 and 3 make up 1.9 miles and Segments 4 and 5 are 1.2 miles.
Additional site elements include planting, lighting, retaining walls, vertical connections to adjoining streets, storm drainage, signage/wayfinding, and the replacement and rehabilitation of several bridges. The design also includes streetscape/accessibility improvements on all intersecting streets extending from the corridor to the nearest intersection or one-quarter mile, whichever was closest.
ABI was awarded a $500,000 Brownfield Cleanup Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Grant funds will be used to clean up portions of the interim Southside Trail. Soil remediation will focus on 26 areas as identified in the Analysis of Brownfield Cleanup Alternatives (ABCA) previously prepared by United Consulting. The Analysis of Brownfield Cleanup Alternatives (ABCA) is available for viewing here. The report, part of an EPA grant, provides information about any contamination found on site and alternatives for cleaning up any the contamination.
Project Status
The Southside Trail has project has been broken into six segments.
- Southside Trail – Segments 2 – 3: The construction of Segments 2 and 3 has been released to bid. Construction bids are currently expected in February. The goal is to begin trail construction in late spring of 2024, with a two year construction schedule. This project achieved the highest level of federal funding possible at 80% of the total construction budget.
- McDonough Tunnel: ABI has hired an engineering consultant to design potential solutions where the interim trail is flooding in the McDonough tunnel. Design engineering is complete, and pricing is in progress with a contractor. ABI will proceed with recommendations which includes the installation of drainage piping and additional gravel, while balancing cost, since this section of trail will be under construction very soon.
- Southside Trail – Segments 4 – 5: Current activities include the installation of storm piping and structures underground that will mitigate and manage storm water on the completed project. The contractor is working currently at Delmar and heading south towards Ormewood Ave. Sidewalks and some on-street parking on Ormewood Ave. was closed off to allow for the installation of a new pedestrian bridge. Pile driving is in progress for the bridge structure, or bridge bents at Ormwood Ave. and columns to support the new bridge are being poured. Construction of a retaining wall is in progress for a future access ramp to Delmar Ave., SE. The trail will remain closed for the duration of construction, expected to last through spring 2025. Detour options can be found here.
- Manford Road Streetscapes: This project will get underway in once the contractor has received all permits, and will include the construction of connecting sidewalks to the Southside Trail from the Capitol View Manor neighborhood. All permits have been requested and are expected to be received in early 2024. Construction hours will be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. between Monday and Friday and the project is expected to last no longer than six weeks.
Project Timeline
Last Updated: December 26, 2023
