Tunnel reopens on Montour Trail in Peters
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The Montour Trail’s Greer Tunnel reopened after a four-month closure.
The 235-foot-long tunnel, at mile marker 28.5 in Peters Township, was closed to trail users in mid-July and reopened November 10) after a permanent steel ceiling-liner system was installed at the tunnel’s eastern portal. The 120-foot-long lining stabilizes the existing concrete structure.
“This is one of the most significant infrastructure projects ever completed by the Montour Trail Council in the history of the 34-year-old trail,” said Ned Williams, president of the nonprofit organization that owns and operates the 60-plus mile trail in Allegheny and Washington counties. A spur extends from the main trail into Bethel Park.
The cost of the project is in excess of $1 million, according to Williams. Swank Construction of New Kensington was the contractor.
The Montour Trail Council was able to hold down costs through the work of volunteers, including the project manager for the Greer project, design engineer Nicholas Koman. Since its inception in 1989, the council has been led by volunteers and all maintenance of the trail is done by volunteers.
“We want to acknowledge the patience of our trail users after we started this vital rehab project, but we know they appreciate that the Montour Trail Council is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for all those out on the trail,” Williams said.
The heavily used Greer Tunnel, constructed by the Montour Railroad Co. in 1913, is on one of the most scenic sections of the Montour Trail. The tunnel ceiling had been slowly deteriorating, with debris falling.
Swank began the construction work by excavating near the tunnel walls to cast and form the concrete foundations, which are designed with a drainage system to collect and carry water out of the tunnel and toward a slope. The concrete foundations have structural steel beams mounted to them and form the “ribs” of the tunnel’s liner.
The tunnel’s reopening is the completion of the second of a three-phase program to upgrade and refurbish the Greer. The final phase, scheduled to begin in the spring, will stabilize the western portal. The trail council plans a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony after the completion of the final phase.
Significant funding for the project was provided by the Redevelopment Authority of Washington County. The Montour Trail Council launched its own grassroots fundraising campaign, with $32,000 raised. If you would like to contribute, visit the Greer Tunnel donation link on montourtrail.org.