Part of a popular biking and walking trail is scheduled for temporary closure, but it will remain open for weekend warriors.

A 1 1/2-mile stretch of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail will be blocked June 21 through spring of 2011 during replacement of the Becks Run Pumping Station. The impacted portion of the trail -- between East Carson Street and the Monongahela River from the Steelers' practice facility to the turn-around adjacent to the Glenwood Bridge -- will remain open weekends during the project 4:30 p.m. Fridays through Sunday evenings.

The Three Rivers Heritage Trail is part of the Great Allegheny Passage, a nearly complete trail system that will link Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C.

Thomas Baxter, director of Friends of the Riverfront, said the closure is unfortunate, but construction is necessary to maintain safe drinking water.

"Both the City of Pittsburgh and Urban Redevelopment Authority agreed to a quick schedule of nine months, largely during the winter, and repeatedly stressed that this project has to be done ???," said Baxter, in a written statement. "I'm happy that they understand the need to complete this project quickly before the last section of the Great Allegheny Passage is opened."

Signs will alert trail users of the pending closure and times when it will be open.

John Hayes: 412-263-1991, jhayes@post-gazette.

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.