Trip Report, McKeesport to Pittsburgh

Roy Weil

Fall 2001

The current end of the Great Allegheny Passage from Washington DC to Pittsburgh PA is at McKeesport about 15 miles from the ultimate terminus at Point State Park in Pittsburgh. What follows is a trip report covering those last few miles. Although this route does take advantage of a few miles of rail trail, most of this route travels along some pretty busy highways. There is another route that has significantly less traffic, but has a different set of hazards. 

Eastbound: Pittsburgh to McKeesport

 to westbound directions

These instructions begin starting at the fountain in Point State Park where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers joins to from the Ohio river.  This is a park and to get to this point you will need to follow the last section of the westbound instructions.

0.0 After anointing your wheel with fountain water head away from the river junction towards the park exit.  Either walk your bike up the center grassland, or ride along either river promenade to just before the highway overpass and turn towards the center of the park.  Note: it is illegal to ride anywhere in the park except along the river promenade edges.  There are generally police around to tell you this.
0.1 Pass under the highway and turn left on the sidewalk/bicycle path. You may get on your bike and start to ride when you see the bicycles painted on the sidewalk. Do not turn right after the underpass as this is not bicycle path and therefore it is illegal to ride on the right hand section. There are generally police around to tell you this.
0.1 At the end of this path turn right to cross in front of the Hilton Hotel
0.2 Go to the third signal and turn left onto the  Blvd of the Allies. 
  This is a four lane road with plenty of stop lights. Traffic during rush hour can be heavy but at other times it is fairly light. Going this direction there are no good alternatives.   The one way streets are against you.  You can always walk the 7 blocks along the sidewalk.  Note: it is illegal to ride on the sidewalks in the central business district.
0.4 Turn right onto Grant street.  Do not make the sharp right onto the parkway ramp going up.
0.4 Go one block and turn left at First St and immediately right onto the sidewalk alongside the PNC Firstside building.  This is a quick turn across two lanes of traffic.  Go around the right side of the PNC building to join the Eliza Furnace trail (aka Jail Trail). Note the interesting fountains along the left side. 
    We leave the trail at the Saline street parking lot. Exit the Parking lot at the end of the trail and take a U-turn to the left downhill on the road.  The trail at this point is on your left on the sidewalk.
  0.6 After passing under the trail bridge, turn left onto Second Avenue.  As you travel down Second Ave, the Eliza Furnace trail will be across the street on the other side of the jersey barriers.
    About 250 yards after the turn, take the left on Greenfield back under the old railroad right of way
  0.7 Immediately after passing under the railroad right of way turn right onto <<Irvine\Second Avenue>>. 
    Follow Irvine through Hazelwood and across the Glenwood bridge.
  0.7 On the far side of the bridge, you will want to turn left onto 8th avenue also called 837 East.  In the fall of 2001 there was ramp construction and this turn was at a signal just of the end of the bridge. In the spring 2002 the ramps will be done and I am not sure how to make this turn.  Follow 837 through Homestead, past Kennywood Amusement Park and through Duquesne to the Duquesne McKeesport Bridge.
  X.X Turn onto the Duquesne McKeesport Bridge and cross the Allegheny River
  After crossing the bridge turn right onto Fifth Avenue 
Just past Market street and before crossing the Yougheney River Bridge take the side street that parallels the road and drops down to river level. 
Turn left under Fifth avenue onto Water street and you are at the McKeesport Marina.
Continue though the Marina on Water Street for about two block and pick up the limestone finished trail.

Westbound: McKeesport to Pittsburgh 

 to eastbound directions

These instructions begin starting at the McKeesport Marina where the Great Allegheny Passage currently ends.

300.0 Continue down Water Steet to just before the overhead highway birdge.  
Turn right on to 5th Avenue. 
Near the cemetery fifth avenue will merge into Lysle Blvd.  just keep going the same direction. 
Turn onto the Duquesne McKeesport bridge and cross the Allegheny 
After crossing the bridge turn right onto S Duquesne Blvd also called 837 North
Follow 837 West though Duquesne, past Kennywood Amusement park and through Homestead to the Glenwood bridge.
Cross the Glenwood bridge and continue on Second Avenue through Hazelwood to Greenfield Street.
Turn left on Greenfield and cross under the railroad tracks.
Immediately after crossing under the tracks turn right on Second avenue. As you travel along Second Avenue the Eliza Furnace trail is on your right, just the other die of the jersey barriers.
About 200 yards further turn right again under the railroad right of way
About 200 yards further make a U-turn to the right and enter the Saline Street parking lot for the trail.
Exit out the far end of the parking lot on the trail, crossing over where you just were.
Continue along the trail to its end, alongside the PNC Firstside building. 
At the corner of Grant and First by the PNC Firstside building, you will want to continue down Grant Street for one block.  Grant is the wider street of the two.  it would be a right turn if you were traveling along first Street.At the Blvd of Allies turn left.
At the Blvd of Allies turn left. This is a four lane road with plenty of stop lights. 
Turn right onto Commonwealth Avenue. 
Go past the Hilton Hotel on your right and take a left into the Point State Park.  Do not take the first left into the park as this is not an official bicycle path.  It is illegal to ride anywhere in the park except designated paths. There are generally police around to tell you this.
Pass under the highway and get off your bicycle.  Either walk your bike up the center grassland, walk it to the right all the way to the river. and then ride along the river promenade. Note: it is illegal to ride anywhere in the park except along the river promenade edges.  There are generally police around to tell you this.
You have reached the fountain which is the designated end of the Great Allegheny Passage.  Anoint your wheel with fountain water and declare victory.

 

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