Walkers who use the trail at O’Hara Township Community Park will be forced to detour for a couple of months.
A portion of the trail is closed through at least early March. It is necessary for work to be done on a Sycamore Run retaining wall, which supports the upper portion of the trail, township officials said. The park’s northern parking lot is also off limits.
Sycamore Run is a stream that runs through Fox Chapel, Indiana Township and O’Hara.
Engineer Chuck Steinert said the work is expected to last through March 7, depending on the weather. The project is part of trail upgrades meant to secure long-term usability and safety, he said.
“The first phase of construction has started,” Steinert said. “Once the retaining wall is complete, the trail portion of the project can be put out for bids, hopefully before the end of May.”
Parking and trail openings are available in the southern parking lot.
In November, council voted to apply for a $600,000 grant application through the Commonwealth Financing Authority. If approved, money would help pay for the stream bank stabilization.
There would be no township match required.