Pennsylvania Begins Statewide Rollout of 9/11 National Memorial Trail Wayfinding Signs

The installation represents the first visible milestone of Governor Josh Shapiro's initiative directing the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) (opens in new window)and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) (opens in new window) to work alongside local governments and the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance to complete Pennsylvania's portion of the nationally significant Trail.

When complete, the project will include nearly 1,000 signs along state roadways and 1,290 along local roads, creating approximately 900 miles of signed 9/11 National Memorial Trail through 23 counties. Together, the wayfinding system will help cyclists, walkers, runners, and visitors navigate Pennsylvania's portion of the more than 1,500+ mile September 11th National Memorial Trail connecting the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City, the Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

Alliance Board of Directors member Adrienne Fors joined representatives from PennDOT and the installation team in Allentown as the first signs were placed, celebrating a milestone made possible through collaboration among state agencies, local municipalities, and partners across Pennsylvania.

Announced by Governor Josh Shapiro in September 2025 (opens in new window), the initiative reflects Pennsylvania's commitment to preserving the memory of those lost on September 11, 2001, while strengthening recreation, tourism, and community connectivity throughout the Commonwealth. As Governor Shapiro noted when announcing the project, the Trail provides "a meaningful way for communities across our Commonwealth to connect, reflect, and pay tribute," ensuring residents and visitors alike can experience places of remembrance while exploring Pennsylvania's landscapes.

The September 11th National Memorial Trail serves as both a transportation and recreation corridor and a living memorial, connecting communities through remembrance, education, and resilience. Pennsylvania occupies a unique place along the route, linking the Flight 93 National Memorial with communities stretching east toward New Jersey and New York while incorporating many of the Commonwealth's existing trails and heritage destinations.

The statewide signage initiative builds on years of collaboration between the Alliance, PennDOT, DCNR, counties, municipalities, and local partners to create a unified wayfinding system that will guide Trail users through Pennsylvania. The signs, which feature the National Memorial Trail logo, bicycle symbol, and "9-11 NMT" designation, will provide consistent navigation while increasing awareness of the Trail's mission and national significance.

As installation continues across the Commonwealth in the months ahead, the completed network will stand as a lasting tribute to the lives lost, the heroes who responded, and the resilience that emerged following the events of September 11, 2001. The project represents another important step toward ensuring the Trail is fully signed throughout Pennsylvania before the 25th anniversary of September 11.

The September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance extends its sincere appreciation to Governor Josh Shapiro, PennDOT, DCNR, Pennsylvania's counties and municipalities, and the many partners whose continued collaboration is making this ambitious statewide initiative a reality.