Plans to bring to fruition a new trail on the abandoned turnpike got a funding boost when the Bedford Fulton Joint Recreation Authority received a $124,780 state grant, Rep. Jesse Topper (R-Beford/Fulton) and Sen. Pat Stefano (R-32) announced.
“The old turnpike has long been a destination for bike riders and the curious. Transforming this abandoned road into the Old PA Pike Trail with easier access has been years in the making,” Topper said. “This funding will help our local authority bring its plan to reality and will ultimately bring additional tourism dollars to our communities.”
Bedford and Fulton counties created the Bedford Fulton Joint Recreation Authority to redevelop a portion of the abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike into a multi-use trail and event destination called the Old PA Pike Trail. The project requires engineering expertise in tunnel construction and inspection to assess the current condition of the Ray’s Hill and Sideling Hill tunnels to make recommendations for future development of outdoor recreational purposes. The grant will be used for professional services, environmental assessments, land surveying and administration costs.
“The TOPP Trail is a unique asset as well as an economic driver in Bedford County. By securing the professional expertise to assess the tunnels’ safety, this funding helps take an important step toward ensuring the trail’s longevity as a part of the ever-growing recreation scene in Bedford,” Stefano said.
The grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority is through the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program, which is funded by impact fees charged to natural gas companies that drill in the Marcellus Shale region of the state. Program funding is allocated for planning, acquisition, development, rehabilitation and repair of greenways, recreational trails, open space, parks and beautification projects.
