Cycling: Mountain tunnel a challenge
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Dark, dank, dripping and dangerous.
For more than 20 years, that was the status of the Big Savage Tunnel in southern Somerset County, a mile or so north of the Maryland border. It was named for an early settler and formerly used by the Western Maryland Railway.
It was arguably the single biggest obstacle to the successful completion of the Great Allegheny Passage, the non-motorized, multi-purpose trail that will extend 150 miles from Pittsburgh to Cumberland. The last segment -- about four miles -- from Duquesne to the Glenwood Bridge may be completed next year.
There was no way around the Big Savage Mountain. Walking a bicycle up and over it was an hour-long chore. But it was safer than sloshing through stagnant, debris-ridden water up to your knees while carrying a bike on your shoulder for 3,300 feet and wondering if the saturated roof might collapse.
"We had to re-open that tunnel; it was vital to the success of the trail," said Linda McKenna Boxx, president and co-founder of the Allegheny Trail Alliance. The alliance, a coalition of seven rail-trail groups in southwestern Pennsylvania and western Maryland, is building and maintaining the passage.
Boxx, 57, received a standing ovation Wednesday night at the Westin Convention Center Hotel when the Pennsylvania Environmental Council gave her a lifetime-achievement award for being "the driving force" behind the passage.
"Without Linda, the passage would still be an abandoned, overgrown railroad right-of-way," said Donald Welsh, the council's president and chief executive officer.
"She has dedicated the full measure of her time and talents -- as well as her own money -- to the task of making the [$75 million] trail a reality," Welsh said. "And, in doing so, her name will be forever linked with the overwhelming success of the trail and for what [it] has come to mean to Western Pennsylvania."
Gov. Ed Rendell agreed. "She has made a real contribution to improving the quality of life in Pennsylvania," he said.
"She's a hard worker who was absolutely tenacious" in making the trail a reality, said John Surma, chairman and chief executive officer of the US Steel Corp. "She's a professional who brings people together" to achieve a common goal. "She is much deserving of this award."
"No obstacle is too great when she brings her energy, her dedication and her passion to it," said Jack Paulik of the Regional Trail Corp., project manager for the uncompleted sections of the Steel Valley Trail between Duquesne and the Glenwood Bridge. The work includes two bridges over active railroad tracks.
Larry Williamson, former deputy secretary of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, said he wondered "who is this crazy lady" when he first met Boxx.
But, after experiencing first-hand her "tenacity, super-human efforts and accomplishments, especially the re-opening of the Big Savage Tunnel," he asked himself, "who is this creative lady?"
Boxx said she considered the honor to be "a mid-life achievement award because there's more to be done." She emphasized that the construction and maintenance of the trail has been "a team effort."
Ever the fund-raiser, Boxx said she was sorry the governor had to leave before the awards ceremony was over "because we need $1.5 million more to complete the trail."
For more information on Boxx, see Kate Luce Angell's excellent story at www.post-gazette.com. For more information on the environmental council and the passage, respectively, go to www.pecpa.org (1-800-322-9214) and www.atatrail.org (1-888-282-2453).
A free family introduction to bicycling with rides led by the Pittsburgh Major Taylor Cycling Club will be held from noon to 3 p.m. today at the Kingsley Association Community Center at 6435 Frankstown Ave. Bike- safety inspections will be provided by Bike Pittsburgh and Free Ride Youth Programs. A limited number of loaner bikes will be available. Raffle prizes include children's bikes and biking gear.
First Published May 30, 2009 12:00 am
