Brady Tunnel repair work is chugging along
Phase II is complete on a project to open a 1915 train tunnel on the Armstrong Trail in Clarion County.
Chris Ziegler, director of Allegheny Trails, formerly the Allegheny Land Trust, said the $6 million project's second phase included the historically accurate reconstruction of the sluice on the southern portal of the 2,468-foot-long Brady Tunnel along the trail near East Brady as well as the installation of 74 feet of steel liner in the northern mouth of the tunnel on Sarah Furnace Road in Madison Township, Clarion County.
The liner shores up the integrity of the tunnel's ceiling and keeps water from leaking into the century-old structure.
Regarding the southern portal, Ziegler is thrilled with the appearance of the new sluice.
Designers, engineers and the project's contractor, Francis J. Palo Inc. of Clarion, worked together to ensure the new sluice appears as similar to the original as possible.
Ziegler said a small waterfall using nearby stones was created at the end of the sluice, which carries runoff over the top of the tunnel and into the Allegheny River.
The waterfall drains into a pipe that goes under the trail and deposits the water into the river, which runs alongside the trail.
The cost for Phase II, which began in May and finished in early September, was $545,000.
Ziegler said multiple phases will be ongoing in the northern portal depending on grants she has applied for through Allegheny Trails — including a $1 million grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development she submitted in September.
Once totally complete, the project will close a gap in the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail, a multiuse trail more than 300 miles long.
Completion of the circuit will also open up economic development for businesses in small towns along the trail, where hikers and cyclists can make a stop.
“Public officials recognize the economic impact that the trail has,” Ziegler said.
Ziegler said if Allegheny Trails receives the DCED grant, a third phase to place 165 to 205 feet of additional liner in the northern portal will be planned.
One more phase of liner installation would be needed after that, meaning that the tunnel could be open to trail enthusiasts in late 2021 or early 2022.
“That's my best-case scenario,” Ziegler said.
Because of the recently completed phase, visitors are now permitted to venture 125 feet into the tunnel's northern portal.
“We'll continue to move barriers as they put the liner in because it is safe,” Ziegler said.
The southern portal along the Armstrong Trail remains closed to pedestrians at this time, she said.
Ziegler said the trail has seen an increased number of hikers and cyclists this summer and fall, which she assumes is due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“The trail is very popular and extremely busy compared to years past and everyone can't wait for the tunnel to open,” she said.
Phase I saw the addition of liner and a hole repaired at the tunnel's north portal.
