Jan 18, 2024 By Mark Hofmann 3 min read

Officials have expanded the scope of the Iron Horse Bridge Park project in Connellsville, hoping a revised proposal offering regional appeal will help secure funds to move forward.

Last year, a $2 million grant proposal was submitted to the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program through the U.S. Department of Transportation for a planning grant to transform the deck of the railroad bridge in Connellsville into an area that would attract cyclists and pedestrians from the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP).

The plan included amenities such as benches, tables and chairs, accent and catenary lights and a trellis structure allowing vines and vegetation to grow, and featured urban loop trails that extend into the city and Connellsville Township.

However, the project was not chosen to receive the planning grant.

After getting some feedback about the proposal from federal officials who administer the RAISE program and speaking with local elected officials, Fay-Penn Executive Director Laura Kuhns said the project was revised to offer more regional appeal.

“Westmoreland County has trails up there, so it did seem to make sense,” Kuhns said, referring to the Westmoreland County Coal & Coke Trail heading south, which could intersect with the GAP in Connellsville. “Regionalism will help strengthen the proposal.”

Along with the regionalism aspect, Fay-Penn officials said the revised proposal will focus on alternative transportation, safety concerns and recreational aspects.

“Given the already significant economic impact of the Great Allegheny Passage on Connellsville and other areas along that trail, our hope is to model a similar effect in adjacent areas by better utilizing existing trails and features like the bridge,” Kuhns said. “Connellsville is already a destination for trail visitors, and the bridge project can greatly contribute to the attraction.”

The 2024 proposal will also include connecting the Sheepskin Trail that runs through Fayette County to the GAP.

Lori Scott, the business development coordinator with Fay-Penn, said in her research, the eventual connection between the Coal & Coke trail and the GAP is something that has been talked about for a very long time.

“Everyone is very supportive of this, and they understand the positive economic impact of it,” Scott said.

The 6.1-mile Coal & Coke Trail connects the communities of Mount Pleasant and Scottdale in Westmoreland County and lies on the old Pennsylvania Railroad corridor.

Much like the public meeting that was held in Connellsville a year ago when the Iron Horse Bridge project was announced, next week’s public meeting will be similar. The hope is to encourage public engagement from the Westmoreland County side before Fay-Penn resubmits the planning grant application by the end of February.

“We appreciate working with the city, township and the county,” Kuhns said. “Now we’re looking forward to working with Westmoreland officials.”

The public meeting will take place Jan. 23, at 5:30 p.m. at the Fountain Mills Events Center, 405 Porter Ave. in Scottdale.