The Rockland Tunnel on the Allegheny River Trail is closed for the installation of a wall and industrial-sized overhead garage door on the eastern end.
Blocking the end of the tunnel during colder months will help to further reduce damage to the historic tunnel’s tile ceiling caused by the freeze/thaw cycle, according to a press release from the Allegheny Valley Trails Association, which owns and manages the trail.
“If this tunnel were to collapse, there would be a big gap in the trail,” said Harris. “It would be very expensive and difficult to replace.”
Once the garage door is installed, trail users will have access to the trail through a standard-size “man door” at that location. The installation is complete, which is expected to take two weeks.
During the construction phase, the public cannot pass through the tunnel and is asked to avoid the site for safety reasons. There is no detour and users are reminded to not travel onto private property, said Kim Harris, Oil Region Alliance outdoor recreation program manager and tunnel project manager.
Blocking the end of the tunnel during colder months will help to further reduce damage to the historic tunnel’s tile ceiling caused by the freeze/thaw cycle, according to a press release from the Allegheny Valley Trails Association, which owns and manages the trail.
“If this tunnel were to collapse, there would be a big gap in the trail,” said Harris. “It would be very expensive and difficult to replace.”
Once the garage door is installed, trail users will have access to the trail through a standard-size “man door” at that location. The installation is complete, which is expected to take two weeks.
During the construction phase, the public cannot pass through the tunnel and is asked to avoid the site for safety reasons. There is no detour and users are reminded to not travel onto private property, said Kim Harris, Oil Region Alliance outdoor recreation program manager and tunnel project manager.
The Rockland Tunnel is 21 miles south of Franklin. The tunnel is 2,868 feet long and curved, requiring users to bring a flashlight when traveling through it. The trail is paved and part of the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail. The tunnel was opened in 1916 for railroad use and converted to a bike trail in 2003. Recently the parking area on the western portal was expanded and ADA-compliant parking was added through a Northwest Commission Greenways Grant funded by DCNR. That grant also funded the design of the tunnel doors. Future plans call for a matching wall and doors to be installed on the western end when funding is secured. Shingledecker’s Welding of Franklin is handling the construction of the eastern wall and door at a cost of $74,000 paid for by the Frederick and Ellen Fair Memorial Trust. The large door will be raised and open during warmer weather. |
Board members needed
AVTA owns and manages approximately 60 miles of trail in the Oil Region.
AVTA board president Bill Weller says they are looking for "the next generation of board members who want to continue the bike trail and carry on the tradition of AVTA.”
Along with the maintenance work along the trail, there are board responsibilities that do not involve physical labor, Weller said. These duties include helping with social media, improvements to their retail offerings, and managing the Salt Box, located in Cranberry Township just outside of Franklin.
The AVTA board meets every other month at the Salt Box.
Anyone interested in joining AVTA or serving on their board should contact the organization through its website, avta-trails.org.
AVTA board president Bill Weller says they are looking for "the next generation of board members who want to continue the bike trail and carry on the tradition of AVTA.”
Along with the maintenance work along the trail, there are board responsibilities that do not involve physical labor, Weller said. These duties include helping with social media, improvements to their retail offerings, and managing the Salt Box, located in Cranberry Township just outside of Franklin.
The AVTA board meets every other month at the Salt Box.
Anyone interested in joining AVTA or serving on their board should contact the organization through its website, avta-trails.org.