ORT Land Trail Proposal
Land Trail Proposal
Ohio River Trail - 41 miles |
Introduction
The Ohio River Trail Council (ORTC) greenways vision includes a multi-use land trail, the Ohio River Trail (ORT), along the “La Belle Riviere” or the Ohio River and its tributaries from Columbiana County, Ohio to Beaver and Allegheny County, Pa. The ORT was conceived out of the opportunity for connectivity. The ORTC initially proposes a multi-use trail, the Ohio River Trail from the Great Ohio Lake-to-River Greenway via the Little Beaver Creek Greenway Trail or the proposed Youngstown & Southern Trail, near East Liverpool, OH and Chester, WV to Beaver Falls, Pa via the Beaver River Trail and to Washington D.C. via the Montour Trail and the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) in Moon Township, Pa. and to Pittsburgh, Pa. via the Three Rivers Heritage Trail and to Harrisburg, Pa. via the Pittsburgh-to-Harrisburg Mainline Greenway and to Erie via the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail. Thus the Ohio River Trail will interlink many of the existing multi-use trails in the tri-state area.
The Ohio River Trail Proposal is comprised of twenty-seven (27) riverfront communities in southwestern Pennsylvania. There are twelve (12) Ohio River North Shore Trail (ORNST) communities: Glasgow, Ohioville, Midland, Industry, Vanport, Beaver, Bridgewater, Fallston, New Brighton, Brighton Township, Rochester and Rochester Township. The Bradys Run Extension and the connection to the Beaver River Rails-to-Trails adds Patterson Township and the City of Beaver Falls, Pa. There are nine (9) Ohio River South Shore Trail (ORSST) communities: Monaca, Center Township, Aliquippa, Hopewell Township, South Heights, Crescent Township, Moon Township, and Coraopolis, Pa. The Robert Morris University Island Sports Center extension adds Neville Township. In addition, the planned expansion of the North Shore, which links to the South shore via the Ambridge and Sewickley Bridges includes the four (4) boroughs of Ambridge, Leetsdale, Edgeworth and Sewickley, Pa.
In addition, the Ohio River Trail Council supports the development of the Chartiers Creek Greenway (CCG) in Allegheny and Washington Counties. The Chartiers Creek Greenway (CCG) is composed of twenty-one (21) communities: Mckees Rocks, Kennedy Twp, Robinson Twp, Thornburg, Crafton, City of Pittsburgh, Rosslyn Farms, Carnegie, Collier Twp, Oakdale, McDonald, Hankey Farms, Heidelberg, Scott Twp, Bridgeville, North Fayette, South Fayette, Upper St. Clair, Cecil Twp, Lawrence and Peters Twp. The Chartiers Creek Greenway will connect over a quarter million residents in the Chartiers Creek Watershed with recreational outdoor activities. An important wildlife corridor, it would provide 48 communities access to a continuous natural green and blue recreational thread. The ORTC also supports the development of the Beaver River Trail and Raccoon Creek Greenway in Beaver County, Pa.
The ORT is part of the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area and the Lewis & Clark Trail. The ORT follows parts of the "Great Path" and the Lincoln Highway. The ORT is also being considered for part of the U.S Bicycle Route 50 and part of the Underground Railroad, Pittsburgh spur. The ORT will serve as a key segment in the interconnection of existing land trails in the tri-state area such as the Great Ohio Lake-to-River Greenway, North Coast Inland Trail, North Bend Trail, American Discovery Trail, Brooke Pioneer Trail, Wheeling Heritage Trail, Beaver River Trail, North Country National Scenic Trail, Stavich Trail, Butler-Freeport Trail, Montour Trail, Chartiers Creek Greenway, Panhandle Trail, Three Rivers Heritage Trail, Great Allegheny Passage, Erie to Pittsburgh Trail, and Pittsburgh to Harrisburg Mainline Canal Greenway (Millennium Legacy Trail) thereby creating an interlinked mega-trail system. In addition, the ORT will link to the National Park Service RTCA assisted “Tri-State Trail Initiative” routes in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Whether you bicycle, walk, hike, jog, run, roller blade, fish, bird or butterfly watch, cross-country ski, horseback ride, canoe, kayak or enjoy boating, the Ohio River Trail will improve quality of life by providing fitness and recreation. In addition, the ORT will serve as an important alternative transportation corridor between communities as well as reducing congestion and pollution. The ORTC will ensure access to all, including persons of disability.
The ORTC mission includes the construction of land trails through the reallocation of abandoned rail corridors, bridges, trolley lines, brownfields, utility corridors and canal towpaths. The ORTC encourages additional access to these resources and ensures that these natural areas are afforded protection. The ORT will assist in the protection of plants and animals by preserving sensitive stream corridors and maintaining connections between natural communities.
The beauty of the Ohio River Valley is unmistakable. The valley presents with shady trees, cool creeks and an abundance of wildflowers and wildlife. The Ohio River Valley is a climatic transition area, as its water runs along the periphery of the humid subtropical and humid continental climate areas. It is diverse ecosystem inhabited by fauna and flora of both climates.
The ORTC endorses the revitalization of the natural beauty of the Ohio River and its surroundings, one of Western Pennsylvania’s most important natural resources. Thomas Jefferson stated: "The Ohio is the most beautiful river on earth. Its current gentle, waters clear, and bosom smooth and unbroken by rocks and rapids, a single instance only excepted." The ORTC mission includes the conservation of the Ohio River Valley.
ORTC and other Proposed Land Trails & Greenways
1. Ohio River North Shore Trail (ORNST)
- Point of Beginning (OH-PA-WV State Line) to Midland (Great Ohio Lake-to River Greenway)
- Midland to Beaver
- Beaver to Fallston-New Brighton Bridge
- Fallston-New Brighton Bridge to YMCA, Rochester Twp
- Fallston Bridge to Bradys Run Park
- YMCA Rochester Twp to Rochester-Monaca Bridge
- YMCA to Beaver Falls (Beaver River Trail)
- Midland to Shippingport
- Shippingport to Potter
- Shippingport to Georgetown
- Georgetown to Chester WV
- Georgetown to Potter Township (Raccoon Creek Greenway)
2. Ohio River South Shore Trail (ORSST)
- Monaca-Rochester Bridge to South Heights
- South Heights to Crescent
- Crescent to Coraopolis (Montour Trail)
- Extension to the Monaca Water Works/Monaca Boat Launch
- South Heights to Ambridge/Old Economy
- South Heights to Independence Township (Raccoon Creek Greenway)
- Moon Township to Sewickley
- Coraopolis to Neville Island/Robert Morris University Recreation Complex
3. North Shore Extension of the South Shore Trail
- Ambridge to Leetsdale
- Leetsdale to Sewickley
- Monaca to Beaver Falls
- Beaver Falls to New Castle
- New Castle to Youngstown (Stavich Trail)
- Coraopolis to McKees Rocks (Three Rivers Heritage Trail)
- McKees Rocks to Carnegie
- Carnegie to Lawrence (Montour Trail)
- Lawrence to Peters Township (Canonsburg Lake)
- Carnegie to Collier Township (Panhandle Trail)
- Potter Township to Raccoon Township
- Raccoon Township to Independence Township (Raccoon Creek State Park)
- Independence Township - Washington County (Montour Trail)
7. Multi-State Greenways
- Tri-State Greenway - Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.
- Ohio River Trail & Greenway - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Cairo, Illinois.
Ohio River Trail - PA Veloroutes Map
Authored by Dr. Vincent Troia, January 2009. Updated June 2010.
Ohio River Trail Council Ohio River Land Trail Resolutions & Letters of Support
 Ohio Railroads | [1918 Railroad Map of East Ohio] | 1409 Kb |
| Proposed Lake Erie and Ohio River Canal | [1945 Map showing proposed canal from Ashtabula, OH to Rochester, PA] | 354 Kb |
| Active Allegheny Plan Proposed W3 Bicycle Route & Ohio River Trail | [Active Allegheny Plan Proposed W3 Bicycle Route & Ohio River Trail Maps] | 665 Kb |
| Active Allegheny Plan Part 1 | [ ] | 5728 Kb |
| Active Allegheny Plan Part 2 | [ ] | 7068 Kb |
| Active Allegheny Plan Part 3 | [ ] | 7017 Kb |
| Active Allegheny Plan Part 4 | [ ] | 2200 Kb |
| Allegheny County | [Allegheny County Pa D.O.T. Map ] | 7097 Kb |
| BCED Woodlawn Rd Project Micheal Baker Jr_1 | [BCED Woodlawn Rd Project Micheal Baker Jr_1] | 1059 Kb |
| BCED Woodlawn Rd Project Micheal Baker Jr_2 | [BCED Woodlawn Rd Project Micheal Baker Jr_2] | 496 Kb |
| BCED Woodlawn Rd Project Micheal Baker Jr_3 | [BCED Woodlawn Rd Project Micheal Baker Jr_3] | 513 Kb |
| BCED Woodlawn Rd Project Micheal Baker Jr_4 | [BCED Woodlawn Rd Project Micheal Baker Jr_4] | 450 Kb |
| BCED Woodlawn Rd Project Micheal Baker Jr_5 | [BCED Woodlawn Rd Project Micheal Baker Jr_5] | 524 Kb |
| Beaver County | [Beaver County Pa D.O.T. Map] | 3950 Kb |
| Beaver County Trolly Lines and Railways | [Beaver County Abandoned Trolly Lines and Railways Map] | 2231 Kb |
| Beaver County Greenways Plan | [Beaver County Greenways and Trail Plan Map 9 2007] | 2488 Kb |
| Beaver County Pa Trails 2006 | [ ] | 132 Kb |
| Beaver County Pa Veterans Memorial Bridge Plans | [Veterans Memorial Bridge Plans 11072011] | 5225 Kb |
| Beaver County_Brighton Bike Lanes Cropped May 2010 | [Beaver County_Brighton Bike Lanes Map Cropped May 2010] | 2941 Kb |
| Beaver County_Brighton Bike Lanes May 2010 | [Beaver County_Brighton Bike Lanes Map May 2010] | 2941 Kb |
| Beaver Pa Sanborn Map 1912 | [ ] | 246 Kb |
| Beaver Street to Ohio River Boulevard_Active Allegheny Plan | [ ] | 511 Kb |
| BHJMPC Spring Summer 2011 Jefferson County Trails & Greenways Plan Summary | [ ] | 2177 Kb |
| Bicycle Route A to Pittsburgh's Ohio River Trail | [ ] | 293 Kb |
| Bradys Run Park Pa Map 2012 | [ ] | 1160 Kb |
| Brighton Township Bicycle Network Master Plan | [ ] | 940 Kb |
| Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Greenways Proposal 2008 | [Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Greenways Proposal 2008 Map] | 445 Kb |
| Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Greenways Transportation Study 2008 | [Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Greenways Transportation Study 2008] | 822 Kb |
| Chartiers Creek Greenway & Three Rivers Heritage Trail | [Proposed Chartiers Creek Greenway & Three Rivers Heritage Trail Map] | 163 Kb |
| Chartiers Creek Greenway | [Chartiers Creek Greenway Proposal] | 56 Kb |
| Columbiana County | [Columbiana County OH Highway Map] | 145 Kb |
| Coraopolis Historical Topographic Map | [ ] | 534 Kb |
| Coraopolis to McKees Rocks | [Coraopolis to McKees Rocks Map ] | 7102 Kb |
| Ashtabula, Mahoning and Trumbull Counties Ohio Regional Bicycle Plan June 2010 | [ ] | 6869 Kb |
| Great Eastern Trail | [Great Eastern Trail Map] | 1150 Kb |
| Great Ohio Lake-to-River Greenway | [Great Ohio Lake-to-River Greenway Map 2008] | 2538 Kb |
| Hancock County | [Hancock County WV Highway Map] | 2230 Kb |
| Inventory of Existing Bicycle Routes | [Inventory of Existing Bicycle Routes 2006 Map] | 123 Kb |
| Jefferson County | [Jefferson County OH Highway Map] | 202 Kb |
| Jefferson County Ohio Greenways Facility Plan | [Jefferson County Ohio Greenways Facility Plan Flyer with Map] | 1214 Kb |
| Jefferson County Ohio Trails & Greenways | [Jefferson County Ohio Trails & Greenways] | 923 Kb |
| Key Person Interviews Beaver County Greenways Plan | [ ] | 510 Kb |
| Lawrence County | [Lawrence County Pa D.O.T. Map] | 2737 Kb |
| Beaver County_Pennsylvania _Municipal and Township Labels | [Beaver County_Pennsylvania _Municipal and Township Labels Map] | 78 Kb |
| Monaca - Youngstown Map | [ ] | 660 Kb |
| Montour Trail to Bicycle Route A_Active Allegheny Plan | [ ] | 286 Kb |
| National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation | [National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation Supply System Map] | 1021 Kb |
| Neville Island to Pittsburgh's Ohio River Trail_Active Allegheny Plan | [ ] | 279 Kb |
| North Country Trail Beaver Creek OH | [ ] | 164 Kb |
| Northwest Active Allegheny Plan | [Northwest Active Allegheny Plan Maps] | 1186 Kb |
| Ohio Bikeways 10_18_2012 | [ ] | 85 Kb |
| Ohio River Corridor Road Cycling Routes Map SPC | [ ] | 881 Kb |
| Ohio River Trail - PA | [Ohio River Trail - PA Map] | 102 Kb |
| Mega-Greenway | [Ohio River Trail Mega-Greenway Proposal] | 36 Kb |
| North Shore Extension Trail | [Ohio River Trail North Shore Extension Trail Proposal Draft ] | 51 Kb |
| Ohio River Trail North Shore Extension_Allegheny County Maps Sewickley Bridge | [ ] | 799 Kb |
| North Shore | [Ohio River Trail North Shore Multi-use Trail Proposal ] | 71 Kb |
| South Shore | [Ohio River Trail South Shore Multi-use Trail Proposal] | 63 Kb |
| Allegheny County Soccer Park at Montour Junction | [ ] | 4265 Kb |
| ORT Connector to Little Beaver Creek Greenway & North Country Trail via Columbia | [ORT Connector to Little Beaver Creek Greenway & North Country Trail via Columbiana County] | 226 Kb |
| ORT Google Earth Map 1 | [ ] | 2560 Kb |
| ORTSS Allegheny County Communities | [ORTSS Allegheny County Communities Map] | 7102 Kb |
| P&LE 1960 Map | [Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad 1960 Map] | 808 Kb |
| P&LE 1960 Map Western PA | [Pittsburgh & Lake Erie 1960 Western PA Map] | 2383 Kb |
| Pittsburgh & Lake Erie 1961 Map | [Pittsburgh & Lake Erie 1961 Map] | 422 Kb |
| P&LE RR Bradys Run Branch | [ ] | 884 Kb |
| P&LE Railroad | [P&LE RR Tri-State Map 1961] | 178 Kb |
| Pennsylvania Railroads | [Pennsylvania Railroad Map] | 3539 Kb |
| Patterson Township | [Patterson Township Map] | 121 Kb |
| PA Main Line Canal Greenway | [PA Main Line Canal Greenway Map] | 134 Kb |
| Pittsburgh & Central Ohio Railroad | [Pittsburgh & Central Ohio Railroad Map] | 23 Kb |
| Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Track Chart | [Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Track Chart Map] | 7999 Kb |
| Pittsburgh Area Railroads - P&LE RR | [Pittsburgh Area Railroads 1961 Map] | 139 Kb |
| Principal Meridians and Base Lines Governing the U.S. Land Surveys | [Principal Meridians and Base Lines Governing the U.S. Land Surveys Map] | 250 Kb |
| Raccoon Creek Greenway connection to Airport & Montour Trail Map | [Raccoon Creek Greenway connection to Airport & Montour Trail Map] | 134 Kb |
| Raccoon Creek Greenway | [Raccoon Creek Greenway Map] | 2488 Kb |
| Sandy and Beaver Canal | [Sandy and Beaver Canal Map 1834] | 402 Kb |
| Stavich Trail Extension | [Stavich Trail Extension Pilot Project Map October 31, 2007] | 1029 Kb |
| Tenth Street Bridge Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, Topographic Map | [Tenth Street Bridge Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, Topographic Map] | 187 Kb |
| TrailLink _ Ohio River Trail (PA) | [TrailLink _ Ohio River Trail (PA)] | 51 Kb |
| GAP_C&O Trail | [Trail Town Map Pitsburgh to DC] | 1547 Kb |
| Tri-State Trail System Proposal | [Tri-State Trail System Map] | 3309 Kb |
| Underground Railroad Section 6 Pittsburgh Pa to Erie Pa | [ ] | 39 Kb |
| Vanport Zoning Map 1949 | [Vanport Zoning Map 1949 Updated] | 201 Kb |
| Washington County | [Washington County Pa D.O.T. Map] | 5947 Kb |
| Western Allegheny County | [Western Allegheny County Pa D.O.T. Map] | 7097 Kb |
| Youngstown OH Regional Bicycle Plan June 2010 | [ ] | 6869 Kb |