'Active Allegheny' plan aims to integrate walking, biking routes
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Anyone walking or biking to Accord Park in Kilbuck from nearby Emsworth or Ben Avon risks death or serious injury.
That's because traffic is heavy on Camp Horne and Ben Avon Heights roads, and shoulders along both streets are often narrow or nonexistent.
Similar conditions exist in many other neighborhoods in Allegheny County. A $300,000 study is under way to identify or create safer routes for pedestrians and cyclists who want to travel under their own power to parks, libraries and shopping districts throughout the county.
"We want to integrate walking and biking into the county's transportation system," Lynn Heckman said of the seven-month effort that began in May. She is assistant director for transportation initiatives in the county's Department of Economic Development.
The project is a joint effort between the county and the state Department of Transportation. Ms. Heckman successfully applied for a Pennsylvania Community Transportation Initiative grant to fund the study.
Michael Baker Corp. is the lead consultant with support from Olszak Management Consulting Inc.
"Investing in commuter biking and walking routes and providing additional and better linkages to other transportation modes will make a real difference in Allegheny County," County Executive Dan Onorato said in a statement.
The bicycle and pedestrian transportation effort has been named "Active Allegheny." When the study is completed in December, it will include four main elements:
• A plan to create and connect commuter bikeways that will link to "activity centers" -- like county parks -- and "transportation modes" -- like parking garages or bus ways.
• A pedestrian plan to improve walking routes.
• A "complete streets" plan to create roads than can be shared safely by cars, buses, bikes and walkers.
First Published June 21, 2010 12:00 am
