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Just a small section of the Steel Valley Trail will go through West Mifflin, but it is expected to be one of the more scenic portions.

"It's a beautiful piece," said Larry Ridenour, coordinator of recreation and natural resources for the Rivers of Steel National State Heritage Area. "It's about 30 feet above the railroad track and 100 feet down the hill from houses and businesses. You could be up in the Laurel Highlands because it's so beautiful."

The Steel Valley Trail, which eventually will stretch approximately 20 miles, is being built from Clairton and McKeesport to Pittsburgh.

The trail, which will join a series of other trails that eventually will form a link south to Washington, D.C., is one of seven trails being coordinated by the Allegheny Trail Alliance.

The two-mile section of the Steel Valley Trail that will run through West Mifflin will be built behind Kennywood Park from the Duquesne City limits to the Rankin Bridge.

The projected start date for construction is summer 2003, but because it will be built and maintained by volunteers, the Steel Valley Trail Council is seeking local volunteer participants.

Volunteers are needed for membership, fund raising, construction publicity and maintenance, said Earl Novendstern, council treasurer.

With just about four miles of the trail completed, the group is trying to increase public awareness, build partnerships, raise funds and get the community involved, he said.

"We could use some people now," Novendstern said.

Building the Steel Valley Trail is much different than building a trail such as the Montour Trail, which is built on an abandoned railroad bed, Ridenour said.

"Much of where the trail goes is through industrial property," he said. "We're buying it piece by piece."

The West Mifflin section is the last section to be purchased because of the difficulty in acquiring the land, he explained.

The group, which has money from grants and funds such as the Regional Asset District for the property purchase and trail development, is negotiating with the property owner, US Steel.

"It's a very critical link," Novendstern said of the West Mifflin section of the trail that will transverse both the south and north shores of the Monongahela River.

Ridenour declined to say how much the steel company wants for the land, but did say the major sticking point is removal of a pipe that runs through the steel manufacturer's former service road. The pipe was used to transport coke gas.

Ridenour said it will cost an estimated $1 million to remove the pipe. The group is hoping to use foundation or public funds for the removal.

"Otherwise, I have to sit and wait until (the steel company) has the money," he said.

For trail information or to volunteer, call Pat at (412) 371-7153 or check the Web site www.steelvalleytrail.org.

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