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: Construction bids were received on February 27th and a low bidder has been approved by ABI, GDOT, and FHWA. The team is working to mobilize and start construction in late spring of 2024. If construction starts as planned, ABI anticipates to have the trail construction wrapped by early 2026, to be followed by landscaping. This project achieved the highest level of federal funding possible at 80% of the total construction budget. On the interim trail, rail events have caused slope failure along Skylark Apartments. A temporary engineering fix has been developed to stabilize the condition near term. A permanent stabilization solution will be implemented as a part of the construction work. Trail users should use caution around these areas, which are restricted with cones and barriers.
- Southside Trail – Segments 4 – 5: Storm line installation is ongoing. The contractor is working at the United Avenue bridge and expects to have the new abutments constructed and begin setting beams by the end of April. Grading prep for the United Avenue ramp will begin mid-April and continue throughout the end of May. Pile driving for bridge abutments at Ormewood Avenue will begin the last week of April. Reeves Young will also be continuing construction on the walls which will support the ramp up to Delmar throughout May. The trail will remain closed for the duration of construction which is expected to last through spring 2025. Detour options can be found here.
- Manford Road Streetscapes: This project includes the construction of connecting sidewalks to the Southside Trail from the Capitol View Manor neighborhood. Contractor has constructed the walls, ADA ramps, crosswalks, and signage. Sidewalk construction should be fully completed by mid-April.
Project Timeline
Last Updated: April 1, 2024
