Expansion in Somerset County, PA

Local and regional officials and funders gather on April 30, to cut the ribbon on a new section of trail at the Garrett trailhead.

Expansion in Somerset County,PA 

On Friday, April 30 at 2:00 p.m., Somerset County and the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance hosted a ribbon-cutting to kick off the newest segment of the 9/11 National Memorial Trail in Garrett, PA.

After the  ground-breaking in early September 2020, the 1.5-mile trail section beginning at the Garrett trailhead of the Great Allegheny Passage Trail is complete. The new segment begins The Trail’s envisioned 20-mile connection from the Great Allegheny Passage Trail to the Flight 93 National Memorial, the first purpose built section of The September 11th National Memorial Trail. 

The new 1.5-mile portion of the trail splits off from the Great Allegheny Passage at the Garrett trailhead, traverses the town of Garrett, and utilizes a former CSX railroad corridor. The cost of this segment was $864,000, which includes design, engineering, permits, and construction. The addition happened rather quickly with the help of the 2015 CSX Corporation donation of the former railroad corridor to Somerset County for future developments of the trail.

​In addition, generous support for trail development came from the Federal Lands Access Program Grant, the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, and the Colcom Foundation. The partnership of Somerset County and the 9/11 National Memorial Trail Alliance has also started the development of a second segment that continues to follow the CSX railroad right-of-way under the State Route 219 overpass to the town of Berlin, PA. The Somerset County Chamber of Commerce recognized the profound impact this trail will have on the economy of the region as it attracts even more bicyclists and tourists to the county.

During this time, there was also an unveiling of a trail reflection and rest area in honor of the many contributions by Lori Brickley, the late wife of 9/11 National Memorial Trail founder, David Brickley. David founded the organization in 2002 and served as the first chairman, and Lori was the first secretary.

This location overlooks Buffalo Creek, PA, and is meant to provide solace for trailers to reflect on the historical and emotional significance of the trail and to remember our fallen heroes of September 11, 2001.

Those speaking at the ceremony were:

• David Brickely, Founder and President Emeritus, September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance 
• Gerald Walker, Somerset County Commissioner
• Cindy Dunn, Secretary of Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
• Steve Clark, Director of Flight 93 Memorial 
• Ron Aldom, Somerset Chamber of Commerce

Read "Ribbon cut on new 1.5-mile section of 9/11 National Memorial Trail in Somerset"